Compact, Ultra High Zoom or Entry Level DSLR ??

I want to focus on something different than the other posters.  How much time have you spent learing about photography?  Understanding exposure and the various limitations of your camera?  Cameras are tools.  Granted some are better than others but the cameras don't take the photos -- you do.  As another posted indicated, the point and shoot you bought is a capable camera.  Consider that the poor results you claim to be getting are as much if not more your fault than the camera's?  I am not trying to be snarky but buying a "better" camera will not necessarily mean you get "better" images.  If you do upgrade, spend a meaningful amount of time learning about what YOU can do to improve the images the camera captures instead of expecting the camera to do it for you.

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RaymondR