One of the best affordable Dslrs gets the heads-up from the DCHQ crew:   "The K-x produces stunning images at base ISO and gets truly impressive results all the way up to ISO 3200. As would be expected from a sensor related to those found in the Nikon D90 and Sony A500, high-ISO performance is remarkable for an APS-C sensor. In some cases it even approaches (but can't quite match) the quality produced by full-frame dSLRs like the Nikon D700 and the Canon 5DMkII. While image noise is present in these high-ISO shots, it is well-controlled and has a distinct lack of chroma noise (the sort that typically leads to mottled, splotchy color patches). This means that the noise has a film-like quality that adds character rather than distraction to the images. It's a genuine joy to use a camera that can shoot clean images at ISO 1600 and produce extremely usable shots at 3200 and sometimes 6400. (ISO 12800 isn't recommended except when you absolutely must have a shot for documentary purposes.) Auto white balance is generally spot on, in all conditions; the lighting-specific white balance modes also work as advertised." Link