I have a fujifilm s5700?

I have a fujifilm s5700 digital camera. I bought it because I had the extra money and I really wanted a digital SLR. I was just wondering if anyone really knows anything about these cameras. I have the manuel and everything, but I want to go to school to be a photographer...so is this a good camera for what I need? Also, is there like a, I don't know the technical term for it, but like a digital skylight cover to protect my lense? And where can I find one? Thanks a bunch!

Any camera will do if you are trying to learn composition, but if you are planning on going to school to become a photographer, this one is just not going to cut it. It's the smallest sensor commonly available and this will really limit the image quality available to you. Either the lens or the camera has some serious chromatic aberation problems. The settings must all be done by way of the menu and this is just not practical for a photographer. You NEED an SLR, whether it is film or digital. I don't know how old you are or what stage of the game you are in as far as school, but start saving for a better camera.

[Note to others: The S5700 is also known as the S700.]

I would buy this:

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet...

It is much better, and comes wiht a "blinker" for hihg lighed rooms, and to protect for dust and other harmful things.

First it is not a SLR camera its a bridge camera.
I think its a very nice one and easy to handle with nearly self explanatory manual. For further info go to.

http://www.fujifilm.com/

Those aren't too bad. I had an S5200 for about a year and it was amazing. They are not dSLRs though. It does have the big lens and looks more pro than a pocket sized point and shoot. You can get a skylight or UV Haze filter to protect the lens and while you're at it, get a polarizing filter. Adorama and B&H both sell loads of camera gear. Best thing to do is to familiarize yourself with this camera. Read the manual and take it with you for reference until you feel a little more comfortable with the settings. Learn how to make the camera capture what you see. After you get all that down, you may just be ready to move up to a real dSLR.