Looking to upgrade to a semi-professional (Graphic/Web Design) digital camera, help!?

I currently own a Panasonic "Linux" 6 megapixel digital camera, which is wonderful, but I'm looking to upgrade. I am a freelance Graphic and Web Designer who vacations A LOT and I take 400-600 pictures a week. I've heard good things about Cannon Rebels and Nikon cameras. I only want digital, and I want to be able to take close ups from far away. I also like blowing up pictures into poster size and having crisp pictures. The Linux has been great but it's small, and you can't use any kind of lenses on it.

I'm looking to stay in the $600 - $800 range.

Also - I'm interested in learning more about different kinds of lenses.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Looking for a camera to do high quality personal shots... I realize I don't need that many megapixels for web photo outputs...

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions

To stay in that price range, you should be looking at the Canon Xti or Nikon D40x. Both are 10 megapixel Digital SLRs with similar quality and features. It really depends on which feels better in your hands. Go to your local electronics retailer and hold both cameras, look through the viewfinder and play with the controls. You can also download the manuals for both cameras free of charge from the manufacturer's website so you can see how each operates.

Lenses believe it or not are the thing that matter the most in Digital SLR photography. They are also the most expensive aspect of it and will often cost more than the camera body iteself. The above metioned cameras both come with a "kit" lens but most people eventually upgrade from it.

The good news is that there a plethora of lens choices both new and used for both Nikon and Canon mounts.

DPreview.com has in-depth review of both cameras and side by side comparisons.
Fredmiranda.com is a great resource for lens reviews

If you are that hard on a camera (600 shots/week x 52 weeks = 31,200 shots a yr). You'll burn out a Rebel or D40 in 2 yrs (figure 60-80,000 shutter cycles lifespan). You may want to concider a Nikon D80 or Pentax K10D (100,000+ shutter cycles) for $900 (K10D) or $1,100 (D80) with a kit lens. You may be able to find better deals "online".

If your final output will be on web sites, not printed photos, then you don't need lots of megapixels. Go for an older model camera (such as a six megapixel Nikon D70) and use your remaining budget on some really nice lenses.