I'm trying to get into product and interior design and need a good camera for professional shots. My needs center on taking semi-close up shots of prototypes as well as wider angle* shots of interior spaces that I've designed. I work a lot with light(ing) and definitely want to be able to take some HDR shots.

My budget is 500-ish, but if that's overkill I don't want to throw money away. I am unfamiliar with the advantages of an SLR, but I'm trying to capture art as opposed to creating it, so I don't know If going SLR is right for me. If anyone has dealt with similar needs, I would greatly appreciate your input.

*I have used stitching programs, so a lens attachment for wide-angle shots is not demanded