[masraum]

I have a DSLR and I like it. If you want to spend money, then get an SLR. You'll find that you'll want several lenses. You'll want most of them to be "fast" which isn't cheap. For the amatuer, the advanced high-end point and shoot is the way to go these days. Get one with a long optical zoom, and you'll be able to take lots of pictures of lots of stuff. If you find that in a year or two, you've gotten more and more into photography, and you want more serious equipment, then go for an SLR. Even then you'll still have use for the P&S, so it won't be wasted money. Or, you may find that the P&S is all you need.