What is the best large megapixel Digital Camera to buy with the finest lens quality and resolution.?

I have used film cameras all my life and am fond of Leica 35mm photograph, also Nikon. I read the online digital camera reviews and want to make the jump to digital soon. Image quality is my highest priority. Don't want to spend 4 or 5K but will consider a medium price range up to 2K or so. What do you recommend for pure image quality? Am expert in Photoshop and am able to interpret and improve images.

Zoom lens power is not of much interest to me. I am looking for a lens that has the clarity, contrast and focus of a 35mm glass camera lens. Thank you.

I am a bit unclear whether you are looking for a D-SLR (with interchangeable lenses) or something more like a P&S.

Regardless, I would start by looking at the various websites that offer reviews and forums (I am partial to dpreview but others have their own favs). Next I would looks at sites like pbase.com to see what folks have taken with the camera(s) you are most interested in.

Finally, I would go to a pro level photo shop and try out the cameras. At least get a feel for the feel in the hand and, the viewfinder and control layout. Many will also rent them for the day/week.

I thought dslr but the clarification sound more P&S. So, starting with the dslrs:

To my way of thinking you have two real choices -- Nikon and Canon. If you have some favorite Nikon glass in your closet, then you really should go nikon.

Given your background, I would start by looking at the D200 (just coming out now). It seems a great package of features and promises a much roomier viewfinder than is in the d70s (my only real complaint on that camera). I could go on and on about your choices in Nikon glass -- my fav is the 70-200 f2.8 vr but the 50mm f1.8 is a decent lens at $100. The D70s may also be worth a look but I would pass on the d100 (pretty old) and the d2x (pretty pricey). I think you will see the D200 be a backup camera for many pros shooting the D2x.

BTW, just about any Nikon lens with a cpu chip will probably work fine on a dslr. Non-chip lenses will often work but this significant restrictions. One thing to remember -- the crop factor. As the sensor is physically smaller than 35mm, the Nikons have a crop factor of 1.5. Meaning the FOV of a 70-200 is really 105mm to 300mm. Pretty cool at the tele end, sort of sucks at the w/a end.

In the Canon, the 20d is a very nice camera. The rebel xt is a great deal but I don't especially like the feel.

In your price range, you could do almost any non-dslr. So, on to the non-dslrs:
I would consider this panasonic http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoni... and theis sony http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscr... along with offerings from Olympus and Nikon.

As an extra information for you, i would like to suggetst to go to www.mycameras2006.com and ask them through skype/YM. They offer free proffesional help and they are very friendly as well. Report It

i have been researching digital slr's for the past month i finally decided on the canon rebel xt, i would of preferred the canon 20d but it was a little tho heavy for me.

You will find that there's still nothing compares to your Leica glass. If you prefer the film look like me, digital image will look a bit fake and too clean. Having said that, it has its uses. If you go the DSLR route, a Canon 20D with Leica R lenses with adapter will serve you well. If you want P&S, the best one as far as lens quality is concerned, is the now hard to find Leica Digilux 2 or Panasonic LC1. It's 5 MP, but with its excellent lens it produces image that rivals my 20D setup.

Hope this helps.

Well I would suggest if you looking for a digital camera review of a higher quality Digital slr that is still affordable try the Canon Digital Rebel XT