My friend is selling me his F717 sony digi camera. (for cheap!) You think this would be a good camera to start out with before i can start taking some semi-pro pics like the ones ive seen here?

 

Like how cheap? Like free cheap or you give some money cheap? I don't know how this camera performs but it an old one, I think back to 2002. I'm not sure on this but I would think with a new decent point a shot camera you might be able to take the same or even quality pictures than that Sony.

 

But what about setting ap and shutter speeds and all that jazz...i dont know of too many point and shoots that will do that. Yeah its old and only 5mp but ive seen some 3.3mp cameras take better pics than the 7.0+ that are on the market now (of course the 3.3 was a dslr though.)

And very little money cheap. Actually a trade for a service I provided him.

 

well, if it's THAT cheap, then just take it. The Carl Zeiss lens on the f717 alone is worth it. A pretty good camera to learn with, I have one before my SLR.