Comment What do you need? What do you want to do? (Score 2) 569
A DSLR is the easy answer to your question. But what do you want to do with your photography and what does that tell you about what you need? I have two types of cameras - one set that I use if I'm doing serious work, Nikon (D)SLR's with multiple lenses, external flashes, etc. / medium format Rolleiflex with filters, tripod, etc. These are my work cameras; my kit carried in a bag I find comfortable but certainly not portable.
For fun and art, I like a small versatile [quick] camera that I can carry around.
My old love was a film camera, a Rollei 35S, a brick the size of a pack of cigarettes, sharp optics with great bokeh. After trying a series of portable, yet satisfying (from the perspective of electronics that give me control of the image) digital camera, I settled on my new love, the Canon G12. The electronics give me the same control as a DSLR and they are more intuitive to use than many DSLR's. The camera's size is compact (not tiny.) I carry it on my belt, over my shoulder, or around the neck. I can compose shots on the LCD screen or, in bright light use the viewfinder. The D12 can be used in automatic modes or any number of priority modes (aperture, shutter speed, JPEG/RAW etc.) - so if you are trying to learn photography, you can grow into the camera.
I don't get the quality of image that I do from a DSLR or medium format camera. That said, the G12 optics are more than fine for prints up to 8x10 and all my web work. Have had a pro assume that a G12 image on the web was taken by my Rolleiflex 2.8F - it was cropped near square but the camera's quality sealed the deal. Because the camera is light and has stabilization built in, I can handhold down to a full second and avoid using flash. The zoom lens is more than adequate - keeps the weight/size down and optic quality up.
One last point. Because I can easily carry this camera everywhere, I get shots I would have missed because I didn't have my kit with me. If you are looking for a portable fun camera that gives you full control over your image (exposure, focus, and more), I recommend the Canon G12.
