Digital or SLR?

[Lisa Strachan]

I sold my first painting recently, and I promised myself I would buy a digital camera...BUT I have researched for weeks, I like one I can afford, but now concerned I am looking at it the wrong way.

I had a wonderful SLR stolen years ago, loved photography all my life, and missed it immensely (I love the manual challenge).

However, with digital cameras seeming the way to go, I first decided to get one of them, but now it seems that a SLR has more to offer in my price range than a digital. I was going to purchase a mid-range digital, but now I think I can get a great SLR for half the price of a mid-range digital, more options, more accurate manual settings, bigger lenses for zoom, etc. and I could buy a low-range digital for my "instant" situations. (both a SLR and a simple digital for the price of a mid-range digital).

What do you think about this? I can't afford a SLR digital, but I want a really good camera capable of taking impressive reference photo's, but I also would love a digital for taking immediate pictures without processing a film etc.. I am feeling confused about what I should do, and need advice.