You know what this new generation of cameras is all about? Lack of compromise. You can have performance on par with or close to SLRS in the size of a P&S. Why anyone would get upset over this is beyond me. I don't have to choose between my old olympus P&S and my DSLR anymore. I grab one camera for all situations. The weight of my gear bag has dropped by at least two thirds. When traveling I am no longer a target for theft, nor do I intimidate the locals, I blend in with the rest of the tourists. This new breed has made great photography infinitely more accessible due to the size/performance ratio alone, let alone all of the intangibles.

People used to be terrified when I pointed my 70-200 2.8 at them. I can understand, it's scary as hell to be on the receiving end of that thing. Now I'm just casually looking down at my NEX with the Nikon 100mm f/2.8 and I have the same (actually better, my DSLRs are showing their age) image quality with none of the associated BS.

These things are a win. All around.