Dear Anti - Social,
I have been reading your posts in this thread and it strikes me that you are rather passionate about photography, either that or you really must have the last word on everything.
I trust and hope it's the former.
The choice as you said is in the hands of the person with the money. What substantiates that choice, in almost all cases, is also based on ones understanding, interest level as well as financial capability with regards to the subject matter. There are those who buy the best because they can afford the best but then can't utilize what their money has bought them, simply because they loose interest really fast or that they have no means to realize the items potential. Similarly, there will be those who buy an item which in price and performance is inferior but are able to exploit the item to its optimum. This applies to everything, not just a camera.
Your opinions on the subject of the FZ-18 against a D40 in terms of performance and value for money are valid, at least, thats my opinion. I am pretty sure that no one has refuted your claims thus far (at least from what I have read in this thread) but have only presented to you justifications of why in their view, the FZ-18 was their choice or at least why a prosumer is considered by many when a choice has to be made during the purchase of a camera. These are valid points too, aren't they?
As a person who has "been there, done that", I can understand that you feel strongly about biting the bullet and going straight for the DSLR instead of wasting time and money on a "prosumer" that has its limitations in comparison. However you must consider that everyone is different. Everyone has different expectations, needs, requirements and in the case of camera purchase,more than likely different willingness to "invest" in the equipment (not necessarily in this order though
). This ties in with the so called "seriousness" one is perceived to have on photography. I agree, if you are "serious" to the point that you must have the tools to capture the best shot at all times, provided that you have the finances, the willingness to carry your equipment around with a grin on your face and most importantly (at least to me) the knowhow/knowledge/skill, then the DSLR is definately the way to go. That's a given AND no one will/has disagree/d on that, but not everyone aspires to be the next Best Photographer of the year.
As time goes by, be it a month or 1 year or more, the user of the camera (any camera generally) will realize its limitation I believe, realization of the limitations will only come about when the user compares and takes interest to find out how his/her pictures can be better. Naturally what happens then is the question of equipment or knowhow/knowledge/skill. Does one then buy a "better" camera in order to compensate his/her lacking in the other department? Logically not, one would strive to improve first and then consider equipment last. I bet that was what prompted you to get your DSLR too, right? Similarly, most if not all of the "serious" non-DSLR owners are doing the same.
I am very new in this forum, I joined because I wanted to learn. I had no idea what camera to get and for months I tried to read up on reviews and ask around. In the end I decided for a "prosumer", the FZ-18, knowing that its not the best camera out there but it had the options of manual controls albeit with limitations and it would be a decent stepping stone that determines my level of interest in the future. Each camera has its market segment to satisfy, the PnS for those who want hassle free photo taking, the "prosumer" which offers some functions for those who want to explore more, and the DSLR for the guys who know what they are doing
. Everyone in each market segment appreciates nice pictures, the question is how much? Owning a "jack of all trades, master of none" "prosumer" camera is a choice for the person who has the money, remember? However, price is not the only component in the equation, usage and function matter too.
Lets just enjoy the hobby.