Point and Shoot or SLR??

Just recently I, and a few others, were put in charge of making a Photo-Documentary of our Trip to Mexico. I was using my Dads Canon PowerShot A(not sure the model number)... and I was also allowed to use a friends Canon Digital Rebel XT... I liked qualities in both, like the fact that i didn't have to switch lens' on the PowerShot and the Image Stabilizer... But i also liked the versatility of the Rebel XT... The Rebel XT had a nicer feel too it, which in my mind means ALOT! (guitar player's motto... If i doesn't feel right DON'T BUY IT)... and now I'm looking at purchasing a camera of my own... Ive been into photography for years now... and i have a small 110-film camera that i don't use much, and a cheap digital that my mom got from walmart with a printer for like $70 a few years back... but i tend to buy and use disposables more often that either of them cause the quality is better than the digital, and its cheaper than the film...
So my question is... (and i sorta have an answer from a friend who is a pro. photographer... but id like more input) Which should i go with? a point and shoot which is cheaper w/ less equipment to carry around? or a SLR, which feels more right, and has better image quality?

my friend says to go with the SLR... and he recommended the original Rebel or the Nikon D50 for starters (for cost reasons) but if money wasn't an issue he recommends the Rebel XT or the Nikon D70 or D80...
What are the pros and cons of those? and what would you recommend?

Ritchie,

You are right, there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of cameras. I have a few that I use for different situations. For amusement parks, and just to have in my pocket, I have an old Canon Powershot S230 (comparible to the SD300). Its a versatile little camera that you can get great pictures with on the fly. I also have a Canon PowerShot S2 IS. It has more functionality than the smaller camera and a lot more optical zoom. You can even add lenses to it with an adapter. If you want the full versatility of a professional, you should move to a SLR. I use a [http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/canon-rebel-350d_reviews.html]Canon Digital Rebel XT[/url] with a few different lenses, and I love it. You can even buy lenses with image stabilization (IS designator), if you want to spend a few extra dollars. To get a full rundown of a reccomendation for your needs, you might try using Digital Camera HQ's Gift Guide to see what you need for your photo taking.

Andrew

This is the correct link for the Rebel XT

The chance of being frostrated with a DSLR is much higher than with a P&S like Canon IXY and it needs patient to become friend with your DSLR. The P&S becomes your frined very fast but a shallow friendship!

But if your eyes and mind work together in a trip, and all you want is to capture the scene as nice as it is, and you don't mind changing the lense and carrying a rather big thing with you, go for DSLR.

You can't take with a P&S what you can take with a DSLR

Hi, I noticed that you haven't marked any replies as the "best answer." Are you still looking for an answer? If so, I recommend you re-submit it on http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com so it will have a better chance of being noticed. These days it looks like most questions are being answered within a few days. Good luck!