Is the quality gap between DSLRs and non-DSLRs narrowing?

[Loupey]

... in good light and at relatively low ISOs...and especially when the final images will be reduced to 72dpi, 800x600 for the web...many admit the image quality differences between a high-end prosumer and low-end DSLR are ridiculously small...

I agree with this comment, but...

You've picked an extremely narrow and low-end part of the spectrum here - a part that can easily be handled by most, if not all, cameras being sold today (possibly even by some cell phone/cameras).

I think it would be erroneous to take this specific scenario and scale it up beyond the special set of circumstances that you have stated.


Like saying that because any car can take me down to the market and back, there is no difference between cars.

[Loupey]

Ultimately, the only person who can answer your question adequately is you.

Because we are of all different skill levels drawing on different shooting experiences and using different equipment, the only way to remove the differences is by trying it yourself.

I have tried and I cannot get a non-dSLR to perform at the level of quality and performance that I can from a dSLR.

So for me, the answer to your question is: no.

[SWriverstone]

Just for reference, here are some shots taken with my (now ancient) Canon S2-IS:















Now, someone might be able to pick these part at the pixel level, but you'd have to be pretty absurdly picky to say these aren't great photos (I credit the camera, not myself!). And you can also see there is plenty of DoF in these photos.

So again...I don't question that DSLRs are better than the camera that took these pics...but frankly, I don't see a lot of pics from DSLRs that leave these shots in the dust!

Scott