Camera recommendations

I went through the same process as your wife, but it was about 10 years ago. Got my then wife a Sony Digital, but still shot slides with a film SLR. I think it took me about two years to break down and get a dSLR (the old Pentax *ist, had been hooked on/stuck on K-Mount lenses from a K1000 in the 80s up through the ZX-5). I haven't been seriously taking pictures for the last 5-6 years, but used to shoot a lot. I'd never recommend anyone go Pentax, though I've always been satisfied with the quality. It's just once you're locked in, it's better to be locked into the big 2 for lenses. BTW, definitely budget/plan for something like Lightroom, even if it's a cheap version. A little touch-up can really help out w/digital.