Not quite an SLR ...

[rk219]

I have been checking out the Canons A710 and the S3 and both look like fine cameras. However I think I may want a camera that is a level above those ones...yet I'm not wanting to purchase an expensive SLR where you have to buy the camera and lens. Can anyone give me some ideas on some cameras that are more sophisticated than the Canon S3?

Many thanks.

[flippedgazelle]

The Canon S3 and equivalent models from other manufacturers ARE the last "level" before a DSLR. Could you please expound on "Can anyone give me some ideas on some cameras that are more sophisticated than the Canon S3?"

[coldrain]

Liek flippedgazelle says... there is not much above the Canon S3 IS and Sony H5 kind of cameras.

You can look at the Fuji S6500fd, it does not offer image stabilization but offers a bit more room in the high ISO department. It also is a bit bigger that the Sony/Canon ultrazooms.

The only thing really above the S3 IS/H2/H5 kind of cameras is the Sony R1. It does not have as big a tele range, so you will lose that. It does not offer a movie mode either, and it is about the same price of en entry level DSLR with kitlens. But for an all in one camera it is very good.