I have found digitals, not DSLR, to be very reliable. I bought three used cameras and all worked flawlessly except for a dirty on off switch on the Nikon 950 which was not bad enough to need repair. My first digital was purchased used and has since gone through two other users and then come home to my camera museum still working well. http://members.shaw.ca/hargravep/qt.htm
DSLRs may be less reliable due to their many more moving parts and rapid fire ability. One thing to consider is where on the technology curve you plan on living. If it is the bleeding edge then reliability is a non issue. If you plan on buying a used DSLR and keeping it until they stop making electrons that fit it then reliability really matters. All others fall somewhere in between. Powell
