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... or whatever you prefer to call them.
Given the advancement of the so called 'super zoom' lenses and all the other technical wizardry you now find on the non DSLR cameras, who thinks it likely that prosumer cameras will be brought out with DSLR style sensors in the not too distant future?
DSLR's are obviously always going to be the ultimate for those who want and can afford them. However, there are plenty who don't and we have seen, with the latest crop of 8mp cameras, that the limits of the current sensor designs are becoming evident.
Personally, if I had a DSLR, it would probably sport a 70-300 (or greater if possible) lens most of the time anyway, thus negating one of the major reasons for buying one. Would camera manufacturers be shooting themselves in the foot if they brought out prosumer models which took away another of the major benefits of a DSLR?
Look forward to a healthy debate. :0)
Ian
Ian,
One of the things that allows these "prosumer" (god I hate that word) cameras to sport such long range zooms is the small size of the sensor, just like video cameras. If you look at the lens on a "prosumer" (AAAGH) it is not actually a 38-228 but probably a 6-36 (as per my Fuji compact), this comparison to 35mm lens sizes is a very clever marketing trick.
If they up the sensor size, the relative lens size has to increase, and you end up with a DSLR size camera, so it would be self defeating.
No I am sorry but you will have to keep saving, I have a Nikon D100 and it has been worth every penny.
BOB
It's one of the ironies that many buyers of SLRs (film and digital) stick something like a 28-200mm lens on it - often from a "cheapo" manufacturer... and that lens never leaves the camera. Probably just as well given the quantity of "dust on my DSLR's sensor" wails we have on the forum.
It may be too soon to say. The high spec prosumer camera is quite a recent invention. There is clearly huge demand. But those who still have 35mm lodged in their psyche will still see SLRs as being "best" - regardless of the photos resulting.
The advantages of DSLRs are certainly becoming more questionable. Sensor-size is the one remaining issue and if prosumers adopt (say) the 4/3 system used by Olympus DSLRs etc that issue could be resolved without the need for the large unwieldy lenses which are required for large sensors.
Also, sensor technology is bound to improve and the actual need for large sensors may disappear anyway.
We live interesting times, photographically speaking. 
I hate the term too Bob, but the only other term I have heard is bridging and I'm not sure that is any better. It seems to assume that it is for people in a transitional state between compact and DSLR.
I take your point about sensor size but, as CB says, there are things like the 4/3 sensors coming along which will reduce the impact on lens sizes.
I don't think the dust on sensor problem is much more than a red herring these days, the dust hasn't gone away but judging by recent posts the initial panic has gone as people realise it is easily rectified and not as bad as originally suspected.
It isn't only the size that matters Bob. :0) After years of running a 35mm SLR I am enjoying not having to cart several different lenses around.
Ian
...we are lucky to live in such interesting times and the march of progress is pretty swift but I can't help wondering if I might be better off waiting for the "next-best-thing" rather than spending a lot now on a new DSLR system, I had the feeling that DSLR was going to be a stop-gap, but not sure what the "n-b-t" was going to be, but it must be sensor quality driven...?
Ok MR C - so why do you want a DSLR then?
It's my long-term intention to get a DSLR
DSLR sales increased by 400% in the first 6 months of this year.
Large sensors give less noise and have few problems with the limitations of light itself.
And as for large unwieldy lenses, there's something reassuring about a camera with weight and stability and I don't find my set-up at all unwieldy, but then I actually use one rather than speculate.
Just to echo what Bob said. The super-zooms use absolutely tiny sensors (6mm) or their lenses would be huge. Salvation will come with the advance of sensor technology IMO. I'm absolutely confident that the manufacturers will get these little sensors working at higher ISO ratings, so that noise will become a non-issue.
I'm not sure that the 8Mp cameras are evidence of the limits in current sensor design, any more than the 4Mp or 5Mp. It's been grossly overblown by dSLR proponents who are miffed that they've only got 6Mp.
I don't find my set-up at all unwieldy
You are a super-hero Ed, your outfit is normally only seen tracking distant planetary objects. :0)
I could live with a bigger camera than the current crop of non DSLR's, but it's nice to know that when I'm biking or walking my camera is gtting in my way as little as possible. I know people climb Everest with enormous cameras, but it's down to personal choice.
Ian
Techno - when I talked about sensor design limitations I was talking about current designs, which I think have reached their absolute limit at 8mp.
Light is the limiting factor on sensor design, not mans limitation to pack in more sensors.
Well I've done the 'SLR with several lenses' thing and, like Ian, I find it's relief not to cart around so much gear.
I do a great deal more photography than I used to when using an SLR. But that could be because I'm using digital rather than film. My current prosumer is far from compact and rivals low-end DSLRs for weight! But the all-in-one fast lens is a boon.
I've got a completely open mind about what my future equipment will be. The Olympus E1 is about the only current DSLR I would give house-room to, though.
I guess I'm waiting to see which way the wind blows.
Ed, totally agree about the light thing. There are a number of factors within this though, such as the sensitivity of the sensors and the techniques with which the light is analysed. Take the 3 layer sensor for example, which analyses one colour of RGB per layer and therefore has triple the effective resolution.
Of course, the more sensitive you make the sensor the more inherent noise you will have to combat.
Ian
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