[Aka]

You don't need to get a DSLR to take pictures of lightning. Most cameras have the option to manually control your camera. All you have to do is use a slow shutter speed. You'll never catch lightning if you have to guess each time, but if you increase the length of time the shutter is open, you'll catch lightning.

Some old old pictures I took with a Canon PowerShot A75 (your average point and shoot). they're not great mind you, but with more effort than I put in, you can get decent shots of lightning too.

Lightning hitting the CN Tower


Lightning flashing somewhere downtown.