Will a DSLR or a point-and-shoot camera give me higher quality photos?

Will a DSLR or a point-and-shoot camera give me higher quality photos?

Mark Comon (Vice President, Paul's Photo, Torrance, CA) gives expert video advice on: What is the difference between a "compact" and a "big zoom" digital camera?; Will a DSLR or a point-and-shoot camera give me higher quality photos? and more...

Everybody asks me, “Mark, what's the difference between a ten mega pixel compact camera and a ten mega pixel digital SLR?” There are a couple of differences. Number one, the digital SLR uses a much better quality lens so it gives you much better picture quality. Number two, you can change that lens and choose a better lens if you like. Number three, the digital SLR uses the larger imaging chip. The chip is about the size of a postage stamp versus the chip in the pocket camera, which a little bit smaller than the size of the nail on your pinkie finger. It's a huge difference in picture quality. So, once again, digital SLRs general make better pictures than most compacts because better lenses, ability to change the lenses, and the size of the imaging chip.