regarding actuations, any decent EXIF reader application should do.. i think some photoediting softwares also has EXIF readers.. i currently use an EXIF reader sa PC sa bahay pero di ko maalala kung anong exact name nung application.. will find out mamya pag uwi ko..
EXIF pala yung data na nakastore sa image file mismo (JPG, RAW, CRW, etc) which tells kung anong lens gamit, anong aperture, shutterspeed, ISO, WB, focal length, etc. etc. kasama din dun yung actuation..
regarding naman sa pagbili ng camera.. IMHO mas maganda bumili ng camera na "beyond your league" para malaki laki ang space for your growth.. pero syempre dapat within your budget pa din.. hehe