auto mode would let you ease into shooting maybe - but the auto model on the 20D is dismal and on the 30D isn't much better, at least for indoor shooting.

keep in mind that this thread was about shooting web content, not other photography. i see a LOT of sites where after a year or two, the pics are still blurry, dark and/or yellow. these webmasters haven't even discovered the tungsten white balance setting in a year or two. they haven't changed settings or used lighting enough to make the pics look even decent. they haven't learned to either speed up the shutter speed enough after learning the lighting and settings or learned to hold the camera steady, nor have they opted for a tripod. they're pics aren't "comsumer" quality - they're still beginner quality.

so in this case, auto on a dslr is hurting their sites. that was my point. i saw far superior pics inside bentley race - who used an s3 is - then inside more than half the the sites i review.

btw, many point and shoots have full manual these days, among them the s3 and s5 is and the fujifilm S9100 and F6000. they can all use a strobe and the S9100 and S5 actially have hot shoes.