on the subject of camera's the point & shoot variety work very well and in fact no DSLR lens can achieve some of the things that these can especially in macro work. My example (Cannon G12) focuses down to 20mm which is pretty close but what is truely amazing is that its does so in wide angle. The other important factor is how the image is used. Most of us show our pictures on the web and for that file size is small so the point and shoot at 5mp and up is more than enough. Its only when you want to output to print or publish images in the traditional media will quality start to suffer.
Stewart had of course proved how successful this set up can be and when the chips are down its not the camera but rather the operator that makes tje most difference.
As wise old Jock says " buy a camera and you are a photographer, buy a flute and you own a flute."
regards
Paul
www.heuerworld.com