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DSLR's... Do your research before you buy anything. Lenses/bodies, go fingerfuck a few cameras and play with the user interface. What makes sense to you, what's comfortable, etc. Then decide on a brand... once you go with a brand (canon or nikon), it's pretty expensive to switch.
Crop-sensors (Nikon DX, Canon APS-C) are great, and a little less expensive than the full-frame bodies/lenses. Also note that a full-frame lens will work on a crop-sensor body. Good less-expensive option to get started with.
Good fast glass (big aperture = low f-number) is worth the money. Spend money here and take care of the lenses. That has a lot more to do with the image quality than the body you're shooting with.
Factor in accessories:
>Cases/bags
>Filters
>Strobes/external lighting
>Tripods/heads, for camera/lens and lighting
>remotes/triggers
All that shit is kind of why I like having a smaller/easier bridge camera - still gives me some flexibility to get the photo I want, without having to stop and set everything up just to grab a snapshot.
