[QUOTE=2K Miata;264546]The best camera you can buy is the one you will actually bring along with you. Annie Leibovitz, the famous portrait photographer, said that the iPhone is the best camera now-a-days. Maybe not the best picture in quality, but it is the camera you have with you so you can take a picture.
There is lots of mention about DSLR, multiple lens kits and fixed focal length lenses in the posts above, but I've found that most of these things usually stay in the closet.
I've been using SLRs and DSLRs for more than forty years now. I've studied photography for 3 years in college. I've worked with commercial photographers and taken pictures for work as a graphic designer for the past 32 years. I have bought several thousands of dollars of camera gear over the years. I've aquired several pro quality lenses and 2 camera bodies and most of the time the gear sits in the closet because I don't really like dragging photo equipment around.
Recently I bought a crop sensor camera. These are cameras that have a smaller sensor than the DSLR APS C sensor and the bodies and lens are a fraction the size of DSLRS. And since the sensor technology has improved exponentially over the past couple years, this new generation of crop sensor cameras are matching the quality of some of lower level DSLRs. The quality of 4/3 sensor images are really impressive and will fulfill most needs of amateur photographers today.
But you've really got to decide what you want from a camera. Do you print out images at 4x5, or 16x20? Will you just view them on screen? Do you really want to be switching out lenses and zooming with your feet? Do you want to haul around a big heavy bag of gear or carry something that will fit in a small sling bag?
If you decide to forgo the crop sensor cameras then buy the best fast zoom lens you can afford with the body you choose. There are lots of sites out there with measure-baters so you can get lost in all the nonsense they spew. But some research at places like dpreview will give you some clues to what is a good camera for your needs.
Good luck with your search and keep an open mind out for DSLR alternatives.
My experience with photography is not that different than yours. I don't quote Annie much, she likes girls as well as iPhones. She made most of her money with Mamiya's though, even after digital arrived. I own a Pentax DSLR... I've owned at least one Pentax continiously since the mid '60's. I make more pictures with an 8 mp Canon point and shoot. In my experience, the main disadvantage with most point and shoot cameras is their horrible shutter lag. There is no way to make a picture the moment you want to due to the lag between pressing the shutter release and the camera actually making the picture. That single issue makes me keep a DSLR. A point and shoot with an instant shutter release... and a big sensor would be golden.
