Lens quality and optical zoom are key. Last year, I purchased a Canon A530 point and shoot for a vacation trip. We spent some time on our tirp with a nephew, who had a Canon Rebel with both Canon and aftermarket lenses for use. While there is a huge price point difference-you can now pickup one of the A530 models for a little over $100, the quality of the point and shoot pics compared to the SLR were the same...and better than the aftermarket lens pics. The A530, while rated 5.0 megapixels, has a 4X optical zoom, which produces far better quality pics than say a 7.0 megapixel with 3X optical zoom. It also has a manual override (something you normally only get on an SLR) and a macro setting (which works very well). According to information at one of our better local camera shops, Canon is one of the few companies in the world that makes it's own lenses. I've also heard good things about Nikon, but have no experience with them. Image stabilization shouldn't be an issue, unless you have poor lighting. I agree with all of the above statements about lighting-the principles are the same whether you are capturing images on film or digitally. Bottom line: a good point and shoot will do it all, for far less bulk and money than an SLR. Happy shooting.
skatr2
