SLR's have fully automatic modes these days. They can be just a big P&S.

Years ago you'd be right, but in the last few years DSLR's have become more of a consumer product than just a professional one.

Even my 7D has P (professional ) mode.

Green mode on a DSLR will look shiploads better then a point and shot....

Can get bokeh... Much faster shutter speed and better depth... The camera does it for you...

Does the 7D have a P? Have you used your video much Adam? Is there a way to get it to autofocus? I only tried video on mine for the first time today...

Yeah. It's got P mode. I live on AV 95% of the time.

I've had a little play with video on the spur of the moment. I need to have a read of the book to figure it out completely.

LOL I cant even find where the video went that I took?

Yeah, I live on AV most of the time... TV is great for action shots! I got one of my daughter at kinder just before... 8 shots of her jumping off a ledge... 1/500... Taking 8 photos a second it the bomb!

I just bought a SIGMA 70-200mm 2.8 OS... Seems pretty awesome so far... havent tested it out fully... I think there is only slight vignetting when wide open... Need to have a cruise so I can test out the OS!

Did it go into live view when you switched to video mode?

The file will be in the preview roll.

I can't bring myself to buy anything other than Canon lenses. I'm the biggest brand whore.

My cousin has a 450D and loves it.. Hes taken some awesome pics with it, should be able to get it for a decent $$$ now.?

A mate of mine uses a 7D and swears by it.. Hes more into the video side of things though..

I started with a 450D before getting the 7D.

I only upgraded because I wanted a higher ISO range.

I was going to add that for Architectural and interior shots you are going to want a wide angle lens, and they generally aren't cheap. Also, APS-C sized sensors in your cheaper DSLR's will create a zoom effect compared to standard 35mm cameras. For example, an 18mm lens on 35mm sensor size is the equivalent to 28mm on APS-C.

Also, DSLR's can be a pain, dirt on the sensor, general size and just learning how to use the thing properly. If you don't want to learn how to shoot, I would recommend something like this instead: Panasonic DMC-TZ20 Its cheap, it will still take great shots, and its reasonably compact. It is also wider angle than your general DSLR lens or P&S. Plus, you can take it places and not worry about it, or losing it so much. Trust me, when you've got a few $$$ tied up in lens/body/accessories in DSLR you will be worried about it, and will probably end up using it less. The fact that you aren't really even asking about a DSLR suggests to me that you will be happier with something like the Panny in the first place. I started out with something similar and I still use it, even though I have $7k of camera and lenses sitting in a bag, because sometimes its just easier.

Yeah. It adds up fast if you get into DSLR's!

I've got about $15k in gear. Can't really see myself buying anything else for quite some time.

Famous last words!! I said the same until something new comes out.

As mentioned a DSLR in the hands of someone who doesn't understand what they are doing is kind of pointless, as is using auto mode on a SLR.

As for megapixles while yes you can get an awesome image with fewer MP's the higher the count the more flexability you have come post production.

Each to their own, but I would go a mid to high end P&S over a low end SLR.