I have had a 3.2MP Sony Cybershot for about 4 years now. I love it for its size, tough metal body and half-decent pictures. It was my first camera ever and I found I really liked taking photos. Lately, however, I have found I'm just not as happy with the pictures I am getting with it. It's zoom is too low (3x optical) and it just seems to have too many 'automatic' things that I try to adjust with little success.

So I was considering a DSLR, but they are still quite expensive - or at least more than I'd like to pay for a camera without knowing 100% if I am going to use all of the features on it (or know how to!).

So after doing some research, I am thinking of the Canon S2 IS (I bought it, as the local shop is selling them like hotcakes right now and they're on sale - but will return it if I cahnge my mind in the next 2 weeks)

The S2 IS seems to have many of the 'beginner' auto features I like from a P&S camera, but should also allow me to use alot of the manual features. It supposedly has a good video capability (which the dSLR is obviously not going to have) and what looks to be a decent zoom at 12x optical.

I figure if I really get into photography, I'll spring for a more advanced camera and go SLR. If not, I'll at least have upgraded to a better camera and take better photos.

So, I guess I'm wondering, if you were in my shoes, what camera would you get - or would this be one of them? Any advice is appreciated.