If you have a digital SLR camera, do you also have a digital point and shoot?

Yeah, I'm kind of afraid to see how much mine will cost to fix. I think I just want another. Then I'll have an SLR and a point and shoot. Now I'm leaning towards the Nikon again because I already have a couple lenses to use with it.

How do you like the Canon? I've been considering it because it's a lot less money than a Nikon. I mean, obviously I can tell that you like it, but I mean, what are your favorite features? I always use the screen instead of the viewfinder, so I don't have a problem seeing either way. My point and shoot has a 2.5 inch screen. I have a Canon video camera, but I can't tell from that if it's great quality since I'm no good at doing videos. I wish I knew someone with a Canon Rebel to try before I decide.

Wow, great photos! Thanks so much for the detailed response and for the link to the pictures. I've read about the sensor on the Canon being better. It seems like the main thing that people say is better with the Nikon, is the macro, which is what has traditionally been better in their cameras. But a lot of reviews say it's a very slight difference.

I love my Canon. I've used both Canons and Nikons and while they're both good cameras, I prefer the Canon. When I decided to purchase a digital SLR, I did a ton of research on the web, and read several photography magazines. In one mag (I've forgotten which one), they did they're best cameras of the year article and chose the Rebel XT as the best, out-performing the Nikon. Canon has its own proprietory sensor that's better than Nikon's (or was, as of a year ago.) And the Canon Rebel, which was the consumer model camera, used the same sensor as Canon's professional model camera, which cost $2000 more. So, you get the exact same shot with the XT as do you with the pro model. I've shot using the pro model using a very expensive lens, and there's absolutely no difference between those shots and ones I've taken with my Rebel. I could have bought the pro model, but after all the research I did, I found there really was no reason for me too. I don't need 14 customizable white balance settings. ;) Most cameras have the same features, so I don't find a lot of difference between any of them. But what I do love most on the XT is its sensor, because that's what gives you the shot. Also, for me, the camera was too light, so I bought the battery pack that attaches to the bottom. It gives it the perfect weight, while also ensuring I won't run out of power. (It holds 2 rechargeable batteries, or 6 AA batteries.) If you want to see some of the shots I've taken with the rebel, you can go to my photobucket site. Ninty percent of the shots there (and all of the recent shots) were taken by the Rebel. (I might have a couple that were taken with my friend's crappy little sureshot. I can tell the difference between those and the Rebel because of the difference in pixels.) The earliest shots were taken with my Sony Cybershot. The URL is: http://photobucket.com/albums/y222/tesan

I'm not choosing one or the other myself. I worked as a photographer for a brief time, and then needed an SLR. So now that my camera is in need of repair, I'm considering just getting another one. Currently, all I have working is a point and shoot, and it's driving me crazy to not have an SLR. A lot of people don't even need the point and shoot once they have an SLR, but I think I've always found a use for both. However, I have realized I am totally dying to take photos again with an SLR and I don't want to wait until I can afford a new camera. So I just borrowed a film SLR and bought some film. Just so I don't go insane. :)

I can't believe how much prices have come down. My CoolPix 800 was worth nearly $1,000 back when I got it. Thankfully, I won it in a photo contest, so I didn't have to pay for it. I'm glad I got it though, I did a lot of volunteer work with that camera and it really helped me be able to take a lot more photos than I could have if I was working with film. Now the SLRs I'm looking at are at around $3,000. Or at least over $1,000 for the lowest ones I'm considering. I suppose I'll still keep my point and shoot (Nikon CoolPix S5) though. I don't want to take a huge camera with me everywhere.

Well, my "older" one isn't that old. Only got it a couple years ago. :) The Nikon CoolPix 800 I gave to my dad finally, since he wanted to print only 4x6s anyway, and the one printed nice 5x7s, but lost a bit of quality when you got to an 8x10. Still a very nice point and shoot camera though. I want to get something really nice like the Nikon D80. I'm still debating though if I can afford to spend that much.

Yeah, I kept my first point and shoot for a long time to take to animal shelters and stuff. Now I figure I'll take my new point and shoot in, but still not an SLR just because it's too big and bulky and also for the damage factor. Although, I think doing pet photography is what killed my SLR. Stupid pet owners that would run into the tripod or let their dogs jump at the camera while I showed them photos. Which sucks since I'm still suing that company to get the money that I'm owed just for working there, not even damages.