Which DSLR Camera Should I Buy?

Hello I'm 12 years old an I'm an armature photographer. Right now I'm using an $80 camera but both me an my parents agree I need a better camera. I'm thinking of a Nikon D200. Is this a good camera? Or is there a better one out there? Price is not an issue. If you would like to see my picture go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/59168095@n0...

Those are great pictures the only problem I do have with your pictures is that it does have too much staturation of yellow in your rock and cliff pictures, it kinda makes my eye hurt and some of your pictures dont have good contrast with the bright and dark areas. Just keep those in mind. Great composure of shots with the rocks.

Just wondering. The D200 is almost a prosumer model or I would even say it is. So its going to be EXTREMELY expensive for just the body. The D200 is a really nice camera, too nice for me however. I am a photo/movie entuthist. I live breath and eat anything that had film in it. But yet over $1000 for just the camera itself was a little too much for me.

Since this is your first SLR, I would recommond the Canon XTi, Nikon D50, D70, or D80. Those are more comsumer orientented than prosumer. The D80 is kind pushing the boundaries of prosumer but its below $1000 I believe. But one problem with Nikons below $1000, you have to buy separate software to edit RAW pictures.

I really recommond you dont go for the D200 or anything more expensive just because, well your 12. I am 16 and I tend to forget things on accident. If you do lose something on your D200 the cost can be dramatic. When I was 12 I had a video camera and what do you know, I forgot it at Disneyland on accident. Thank god it wasnt a $2000 camera but still. Dont go for more than what you can chew.