Any advice about compact DSLRs? Or really good compact cameras?

[HypatiaTheProcrastinator]

My daughter recently broke my current compact camera so I've decided to buy a new one to take better photos. I'm guessing a compact DSLR will be best for me to have a balance between something that fits in my handbag and getting the beautiful photos possible with a DSLR. My problem is that I have no clue about cameras, just that I somehow manage to get lovely photos out of my BIL's DSLR that don't come out of my compact camera.

So can anyone recommend any particular camera or advise me on what to look out for? I'd be willing to spend up to about £350 I think, but cheaper would be great so I could buy one ASAP.

Thankyou

How about the Canon Powershot G15?

This is a 'compact(ish)' camera that has been designed with a lot of features you will find in a DSLR.

You'll probably get 80% of the quality of a DSLR with a camera that fits into your handbag.

The thing that lets this camera down really is the sensor size. But that's the same in every camera in this price bracket. If you want something better then you really are looking at a ILC/CSC system but that won't fit into your handbag either and will be 2x the price.

To be honest in the right hands, the G15 will give you images that only another photographer will be able to tell didn't come from a DSLR.

A lot of professionals have this type of camera to bimble around on family days out so we don't have to lug around a DSLR with lenses.

Price is incredibly keen now because they've released a newer model but that doesn't really mean this one is rubbish. Far from it. If I had spare money, i'd get one myself for family outings.

Great, thankyou so much. Honestly, you lost me there in the middle but the rest makes sense.

Ha ha....basically the sensor is the little bit of magic that the light hits that makes the actual photo. The bigger the sensor, the better quality image but of course the higher the price tag.

To fit everything into a small camera like the G15, they've had to use a slightly smaller sensor than you'd find on a big DSLR. You can get cameras like the Sony-NEX7 but of course that's above your £350 price range and neither will it fit into your handbag.

Basically buy the G15, be happy. If you ever get to the point where you don't like the images coming out of it then you'll probably know why you want to upgrade and feel paying more £££ for a camera is worth it.