Need a camera: advice pls on DSLR or high-end P.A.S.

Have a trip to Japan coming up in June to see relatives. Since it's a rare trip we get to make, I'd like to take some great pics while we are there. Our Sony point and shoot just wont cut it, and the zoom is horrible.

So far I've been checking out these 3:

Canon Rebel XSi
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-...8766092&sr=8-1

Canon Rebel G10
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powersho...8766156&sr=1-1

Panasonic Lumix LX3
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-...8766215&sr=1-4

Im a novice at manual, but will have ~month to play around with whatever i get, so I dont mind learning a little. However, I figure I will probably be using mostly auto settings on this trip.

Later on down the line will planning to learn more, and could use something good to capture the kids sports games and such.

• DSLR or High end PAS
• ~$800 or less total (can be a little flexible on the high end)
• Not too heavy/travels easy
• Fairly easy to use
• Best quality/Bang for the buck
• Prefer to buy new online (Amazon or reputable site)
• Outdoor/Indoor/All light levels

So any comments/recommendations?
If DSLR, what about lense recommendations as well?
What about memory cards?

I love Canon, so my bias is to go for one of those. If you aren't into the hobby, I think any of them will do to be honest.

As far as memory card, I once read that those 4+ gig cards are liable and "professional" photographers carry a stash of 1 gig (or less) cards so they don't lose anything. I don't know how true that is, but I use a 2 gig flash myself and seems okay.

Nikon D40, or since its a trip, two birds with one stone and a Nikon D90 also has video :o

For high-end non-DSLR, you CANNOT beat the Canon Sx1/SX10-IS. For the price though you may as well just nab a Nikon D40 kit or something though if you don't care about the extra size.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...&modelid=18301

Nikon D40 or horrible death by fire. It's true.

i want the nikon d90.

I'd get a point and shoot because it's for travel. It could break, it could get stolen, it's a pita to lug around a giant camera.

http://www.ciao.com/Fujifilm_FinePix_S2000HD__15674822
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...pixs2000hd.asp

I found this one to be pretty good and the zoom is awesome as long as your not trying to run and take the pic at the same time.:) I got it recently and its a mix between the 2 types of cameras. Has the settings portrait, night and so on and then the manual ones. It's only 250 at best buy. I've heard good and bad things about it but I have no problems with it. Definitely get rechargeable batteries, and a decent sized memory card the pictures are big.

If you're on a budget, watch ebay like a hawk for camera deals.

I picked up a D40x with lens for ~$300 last year. There's a lot of people that put up their cameras without knowing how much they normally go for. Or they look at other auctions prices and don't realize they're for bodies only.

thanks for all the responses so far! ill prob head to a camera store just to check out the size differences 1st hand

so on the D40, i notice it only has 6 MP compared to 10+ on these other cameras. a noob question, how can it still be competitive even with the 60%+ variation?