Have just gotten back into photography over the last year or two. I had an Olympus E-PL1 and was really happy with the results I got, especially the colors it produced. Feature-wise, the E-PL1 was lacking though, so I decided to get a DSLR. A friend of mine suggested I go with Nikon. I liked how his D90 "felt", so I sold my Olympus and got a Nikon D3000.

I'm really happy with the features and ergonomics of my D3000, but am disappointed in the results I'm getting, especially the colors in my pics. I'm only shooting in RAW. So far I've got the D3000 and kit lens, which I bought used. I also have a SB-400 flash and a 35mm lens which I bought new. I'm considering upgrading a D3200 or D5100 this summer, but am worried I won't be happy with another Nikon.

Before I get any deeper into Nikon, I'm considering switching to Olympus- but their DSLR's seem to all be relatively old compared to other manufacturers. Can anyone tell me what's up with that? All their new stuff is compact, mirrorless. Mirrorless would be fine, but I want a good viewfinder with a built in flash, and a hot shoe- without giving up any of the features you get in a DSLR.

Can anyone knowledgeable about Olympus and/or Nikon make any suggestions or recommendations? I find I'm taking a lot less pictures lately since I'm not getting the results I want.

I'm also open to other brands, except Canon- I don't really like how they feel.

I tried to make the title descriptive. I want to take better pictures of flowers and I know a tripod is the best for getting sharp photos. Is there anything else I could use when I travel? Last year, in Epcot, I took many photos of flowers but had a hard time with movement (mostly mone).

I don't want to carry a tripod bec of the bulk & packing it for plane. I know there are a couple of monopods with feet that extend but they don't seem very stable for a dslr. I also heard about the string pod, but I can't see how that will help all that much.

Any other ideas?

It is on the lens.

Mentioned that I purchased a Cannon T2i today for Best Buy had a great sale with any lens half off and it came with 18-55 and I bought the zoom 55-250.
Does anyone have the T2i and do you like it, have 14 to days to return. They said that the 2 is newer than the 3 ??? I am a real novice when it come to these, have been using point n shoots for years and have had great photos with them, but I have a drawer full that quit after a year, less than a year or a little more, but some of them get great photos....What is my main reason for putting this money down for one of these, can anyone tell me ???

My ex girlfriend got one for her Canon 60D and now she can't get the batteries out of it. They are stuck because the latch broke off. This probably wouldn't happen with OEM products. Well worth the money to get the real McCoy. I know, you'll hear a lot of people that have had success with 3rd party products. In the end, it's up to you and your piece of mind. I bought some off brand batteries, and 2 out of 4 only lasted a few charges and now they won't even take a charge. I learned my lesson and it's OEM all the way now.