Canon EOS 80D DSLR 24mp w/ 18-55m Lens

I cried unashamedly when I unwrapped the Christmas wrapping to reveal what I'd saved up for for seven months, and my wife had bought for me from Amazon.com. This is an upgrade from a Rebel XSI. I really loved that camera, but it had been getting long in the tooth as I'd been reading about the new ones coming out the last three years. When this one hit the market, that was it! I told her, "Yup, that's the one I want!" Well, love is giving. She gave me this camera, and I've been ecstatic since. We live on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Yesterday, there were 35-40 knot winds from the west, as is the norm. I took the 80D and got some photos of the lighthouse that two people have already said are "award winners", with the waves smashing up the side of the breakwall, the sun making a ghostly shadow of the lighthouse itself onto the spray. I don't know about the "award winners" part, but the photos wouldn't have been possible with the XSI; it couldn't take photos at 7fps, as the 80D did yesterday. Even with my shaking hands in that high wind, it did an amazing job with its amazingly fast focus capability. There's so much info right there for you at the press of a button on the screen before you start, and it's so easy to adjust anything you need to in just seconds. It's a dream to work with for me, and at 67, I'm kinda thankful for that. If you're looking for a great camera that's better than a beginner's model, but won't run you the $3500.00 a 5D Mark IV will, THIS is the guy you're looking for. Man, this thing feels so good in your hand, it's silly. The Rebel was a touch on the small side; the 80D is perfect. It's really nice to have that info window on the top, too. That's a lot of help when you make yourself aware of and start utilizing it. Okay, I've said enuff. This is one beautiful machine, and I love it! Get one if you can. You won't regret it. Bioman out.