For a feature rich camera at a lower price you should consider Pentax. They pack a lot of features into their cameras at some very affordable prices. I've seen used k5 and k5ii bodies selling in the low $300 range. These were both flagship models. The K3 is a newer body but can be had at a good price. Pentax cameras are typically feature rich and these flagship bodies usually have more physical controls which means you have quicker access to settings and less time is spend rooting through menus. They are also backwards compatible so good quality older lens can be used on them and these can sometimes be had at very reasonable prices.

I use both and agree with Gene. I like what Dxo can do with a raw file. I find its sharpening to be really nice and it's noise reduction also. I typically load images into LR and then export to Dxo and then back to LR.

I can't speak to the others as I've only used Pentax. I started with a K1000 and have been using Pentax ever since. The feature's I like far out weigh those that are problematic. Pentax doesn't have the fastest autofocus, but it's nice to have in camera image stabilization. I don't have to pay for it in every lens I buy. Plus all of those old lenses can used with stabilization. I also like that they've increased the low light capabilities of their auto focus. I can autofocus on a waterfall with 10 stops of ND filters. I photograph a lot of waterfalls and this has come in real handy.

I agree, and birds in flight is one of my favorite types of photography. However, there are features that I really like. For instance, in program mode a simple turn of the aperture or shutter dial immediately put's the camera into av or tv priorty. And, if I want to switch back to program mode there is a green button, one push and you're back in program mode. All of this can be done without taking you eye away from the view finder. Another thing I like is that many controls are actually duals or buttons rather than menus. It's nice to be able to change setting's while looking through the viewfinder rather than having to root through menus.

I really enjoy the Pentax gear. There are some areas where they fall behind Canikon, but there are features that are really useful that the others don't have. It really depends on the type of photography you do.

Pentaxian here!