Hi AJ, you will find that the vast majority of digital P&S cameras have as many if not more features than DSLRs. The advantage of DSLRs come not from features but better quality glass and sensors..

That being said, if you want professional level control of the the camera (as opposed to features) then you will want one of the more expensive bridge cameras. Avoid ultracompacts like the plague if this is what you are looking for. Some cameras like the Canon G7 are touted to be DSLR replacements. Most ppl acknowledge that they are not quite there but they are as close as you can get..

If money is not a major concern, the Canon Powershot G7 is probably an excellent choice.http://www.flickr.com/photos/freezingrain/..

I own a couple of DSLRs and I also own the G7. It takes gorgeous photos, but it's not perfect ~ the write time annoys me still, but maybe 'cause I mostly shoot DSLR. Honestly, you should go out and handle the cameras you are interested in before buying one..

I am also very fond of the (tiny by comparison to a DSLR) the Canon S3, S4 or S5 for versatility, ergonomics and image quality..

Good luck and let us know what you end up with..

Willa.

MWCT wrote:.

Hi AJ, you will find that the vast majority of digital P&S camerashave as many if not more features than DSLRs. The advantage of DSLRscome not from features but better quality glass and sensors..

That being said, if you want professional level control of the thecamera (as opposed to features) then you will want one of the moreexpensive bridge cameras. Avoid ultracompacts like the plague if thisis what you are looking for. Some cameras like the Canon G7 aretouted to be DSLR replacements. Most ppl acknowledge that they arenot quite there but they are as close as you can get..

If money is not a major concern, the Canon Powershot G7 is probablyan excellent choice.http://www.flickr.com/photos/freezingrain/.

Http://www.PBase.com/willa.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window..

Maybe Panasonic LX2 (or Leica D-Lux3, the equivalent if you're flush): 28mm lens, sensor and LCD, RAW, fully manual. Great build quality. I like mine a lot..

Only snag is noise at high ISO (but most non dSLRs suffer from that)..

Alex.

Http://akiralx.smugmug.com/..

Carpe diem, or Seize the day....with a photo or two - there's no better way..

Maybe you should not rule out ultra-compacts....take a look at the following thread:.

Forum Leica TalkSubject Meet Raphael..............Posted by Carl Ibbet [CLICK FOR PROFILE]Date/Time 10:07:04 PM, Wednesday, July 04, 2007 (GMT).

If you want to see what quality can be produced. (in terms of clarity of course.....nothing to do with the novice photographer!!).

Regards,Carl..

A few ideas in no order :.

(a) The Canon A570 IS or the A 710 IS..

Both good all-rounders..

(b) The Canon S3.

A nice all-round super-zoom. Perhaps a little bigger than you want..

(c) The Panasonic TZ3.

Not my personal thing, but a compact super-zoom, nice if low-light photos are not important..

(d) The Fuji F30/31.

A good compact, and the best at low-light..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

I guess some folks are not too familiar with the Oly you have, but many of the cameras recommended to you are just as big as your Oly, which is not an SLR but a fairly advanced P&S. Your reference to wanting something not as large as an SLR probably threw folks off that are not familiar with the Oly. I have an Oly C7070 that is very similar to your Oly. If you want something smaller than the Oly, then you are looking at compact cameras. Some of the Panasonic models might fit the bill fairly well, as would a Fuji F series (F31, F40... I have an F30 that I like but they are hard to find now).Good shooting,.

GeneNorth Carolina..

I was going to say something along similar lines concerning the size of your present Olympus 5060. I don't think you're going to find anything much smalle and similarly capable with a viewfinder other than the Canon G7 or A series. The Ixus 850 might do if you can turn off the AiF and get fous lock and exposure lock. If you can manage without a viewfinder then there are those slim 28-200 models from Richo and Panasonic. If a 3x zoom and good picture quality will do then one of the little Fuji f31 perhaps...John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

I have a Panasonic TZ3 and love it. It fits in your pocket, and unless you take lots of night shots it is a great camera...