First of all, this post is not for the professionals, or even the advanced level photographers. This post is primarily for those people who are sitting on the fence on upgrading to a Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera (DSLR), or to those who want to buy a camera but not sure if they are ready to jump straight to a DSLR. Also, don’t expect this post to be very technical, this post is based mainly on my experience of using DSLR for past three years.
If you are thinking of buying an advanced (high-end) compact camera, and if the portability (size) is not an issue for you, then you should go ahead and buy a lower end DSLR. If you can afford, then you can even shoot for a higher end DSLR . The camera I have now, Nikon D40, costs around $400 -$500, with kit lens. A higher end compact camera will easily cost you from $350 -$500. I understand, it’s not always advisable and possible to carry a bulky camera around, but for those “Kodak moments” you always have your cell phone camera. The camera’s in the cellphone, today, are far better than my very first 2MP HP digital camera 
The biggest secret of a DSLR taking great pictures, even when a novice is operating it in an Auto Mode, has to do with it’s larger sensor designs. These sensors can capture more light, even in darker conditions, hence producing crisp images with reduced noise. Compared to compact cameras, DSLR normally focuses faster and shoots fast without the shutter delay. Think of the times you wanted to take a picture of some event, when you finally clicked your compact camera, and that event has passed. Also, you can take very fast continuous shots of an object. These qualities alone will make Geoff Boycott say “Even my mom could take better picture with a DSLR”.
Unlike the compact cameras, with DSLR you can change the lens based on your requirements. For starters, let say choosing from your kit lens of 18-55mm to take pictures inside a room (closer objects) or choosing 55-200mm to take pictures of birds (farther objects) on the field. The sky is the limit, when you think about the type of lenses for different occasions, the more you know about them, less you feel you have known. If you want to learn more, check this site to see some of the DSLR lesnes.
Now let me talk about my experience with DSLR. Like some of the available texts recommends, and based on my own knowledge, never fall for the megapixel trap. Paying more money to get higher megapixel camera is no longer worth it. My six megapixel Nikon D40 can easily produce excellent16x20” pictures, now why would you want to pay more for higher megapixel camera (unless you often require very BIG prints)?
But are you willing to purchase another one, with even better features (surely) within a year? Unless you have a big chunk of money to spend on these gadgets, I am absolutely certain that it would be overwhelming and very hard to keep up with the new technologies. I feel that how you want to proceed in these technological advancements basically boils down to two questions: 1. Do I have the best possible phone? or 2. Does my phone do everything I need it to do?
