The time of 2/3" sensors is past (unfortunately)..

The only remnant that delivers dSLR-quality, is the Sony R1..

You get to pay for it - but in turn, you get a camera with a dSLR-sensor (APS-C size CMOS-sensor), that delivers great image quality..

The lens is Carl Zeiss 16-80, the very same that is sold for the Sony/Minolta platform for more money than the R1 itself costs (pretty ironic)..

Is the R1 the right camera for you? I don't know - but try it, and see for yourself if you think the price is worth paying. .

Http://www.fotostart.dk << tutorials, guides etc...

Large zoom ratios give poor image quality as it is and having a chap lens with a small sensor is not going to give good image quality. If you are serious about getting good image quality then a DSLR is really the only option..

There are some small DSLRs and lenses with a large zoom range..

The best wide ranging lenses are the Tamron 18-250 which is about 400 and the Nikon 18-200 VR which is 500 (and heavy)..

Small DSLRs you have the Nikon D40, Canon 400D, Pentax K100D and Olympus e410..

You won't find a DSLR lens that will do (true) macro, but neither will you find that on a P&S. There are a few close focusing and 2:1 telezooms but, they are not brilliant..

I would recommend you go into a shop and have a look at the options. There are some nice, small and light lenses available. I know the Pentax 18-55 and 50-200 are both really small, light and don't get in the way. Especially when mounted on a K100D..

I'm not really up to date on what Nikon and Canon lenses are small and light but their kit lenses should be..

Regards,Tyr.

Finally got a gallery:http://picasaweb.google.com/tyr.francoperlak..

There are a lot of people who want "the best quality" when they don't have a clue what is involved..

Good enough is often good enough do these ".

Best quality" people change the air pressure in their tires depending on the air temperature? No? Then they don't care about best..

Last night I was looking at NVIO camera ads. And a Ricoh ad..

My old Nikon 5700 makes excellent 11 x 14 inch prints, when the shooting conditions are decent..

To a larrge extent, picking a all-in-one camera is a matter of features, more than quality, plus the shutter lag problem, which you don't have with D-SLR cameras..

One thing to look for is a flash hot shoe tohold an external flash. Do you want one, or not? That's a deal breaker item..

I bought my son a $250 Fuji point and shoot, and it creates files that reproduce really, really well to 8x10. Never tried bigger..

BAK..

The DSRL Olympus E-510 with a nice zoom is more compact than some megazoom "compacts" - and takes much better pics. My hands like it more than say the Fuji 9100/9600. It has live view, albeit not as fast as a compact camera...

Advanced compacts to look at:1) Canon G7 or G9 (newer with option to save in raw and jpeg)2) Panasonic LX23) Ricoh Caplio GX100 (wide angle at 24mm, and ability to save in raw and jpeg).

I hope this answers your question..

Http://web.mac.com/drchrisyeo/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html..

No p&s has image quality comparable to a DSLR in low light. Another poster mentioned the Sony R1, which is close, as it has the same size sensor as a DSLR. The others are not even close..

However, lots of p&s are good enough for very nice prints, particularly in good light...

Probably some still in the pipeline, I guess.STOP Global Stasis! Change is good!.

Now that you've judged the quality of my typing, take a look at my photos..http://www.photo.net/photos/GlenBarrington..