1) In full automatic, it's a nice camera even for an amateur. Mostly, though, the point of getting a digital SLR is lost on a total amateur.
2) Depends on the lens and tripod. The lens I got was almost $400. Some are cheaper. It will work with any tripod.
3) I would get a 512 MB or preferably a 1 GB card. Either a microdrive or a relatively fast CF card will work. (I have a 1 gb microdrive, sometimes it is too slow for the way I shoot.)
4) There is a large grip which includes a larger batter. I just keep a second normal battery to swap in when I shoot for more than a few hours straight.
5) I think it has a drive mode where it will do that. It isn't anywhere near as fast as the next model up, though. Besides the resolution, that's the main advantage of the higher-end Canons.
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