Quote Originally Posted by Greg McCary
I am not sure what the advantages are to an intermedate camera is. I have never owned one. But to me the advantages to the DSLR are, more control of the final image. Just shooting in RAW format and haveing that much control alone. Also a DSLR will hold it's value longer and sense you are buying a system when you upgrade most times you keep the lenes and just upgrade the body. I am also not sure that you can use filters on intermedate cameras. Once you make the plunge you won't look back.
Greg
I can still shoot in RAW format on a superzoom and use filters too. With 28mm to 200mm with macro at f 2.8 to 3.5, it is certainly as fast or faster than most kit lenses for DSLRs. It is also a smaller package which makes it faster and easier to use in some situations and not as visible which certainly works in street photography.

The advantage to DSLRs is a lesser problem with noise particularly at high ISOs although even these cameras have only somewhat reduced or in some cases masked the problem.

I look at different cameras for different shooting situations. A small pocket camera is great for "rough areas" or in other areas where you are not supposed to be using a camera. A superzoom is great for travelling light, fast journalistic event shooting, and situations where you might want to quickly change over to video. A DSLR is great for studio digital work, commercial advertising, occasions where you can spend more time setting up the shot, and where top quality is necessary. I still even tend to use film where colour is extremely important.

Ronnoco