new digital camera, help in picking the right one Options

[SMiLEEFORMEE]

recently my konica minolta x50 broke and so i'm looking for a new camera. i really didn't favor the konica minolta x50 because of how noisey all of my pictures taken in low light were.
now that i'm picking a new digital camera to buy, i keep jumping from camera to camera so i need help, especially from those who either own the following cameras or are very experienced with cameras. also, i'm not sure yet if i want to buy a dslr or a regular point and shoot camera because i haven't taken any classes, and don't have much experience with SLRs, i'm afraid i'll waste my money on one and won't know how to use the DSLR to its fullest.

the single DSLR that i'm considering because of its low price and many pros:
-Digital Canon Rebel Xt (350D):
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?...ec=&topnav=
$599.99 at Costco -- where my family buys everything you can imagine hahah (;

OR should i get this point and shoot:
-Canon Powershot G7:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?...ec=&topnav=
$499.99 at Costco

i was wondering if im willing to spend 500 on the G7, if i should spend that extra 100 on the canon rebel and get a much better camera. on the other hand, i was worried that the canon rebel would be a hassel to carry around to outings, parties, etc [places where i usually take my digital camera] and maybe should stick with the simpler and smaller powershot G7 (i've heard many good things about canon powershots and the G7 seems to be my fav. out of all of them after researching reviews]

i want all the tips i can get please (: and if anyone has any suggestions for any other decent sized camera with image stabilaztion and takes good quality [clear with little noise] pictures in low-light please note those as well

thanks in advance!

[btw, if you want examples of the types of photos i take -- check my flickr in my sig]

[Simba]

Alright, I haven't personally owned a Canon Rebel XT, but I know people who have and they've all enjoyed it. (Anyhow, I own a DSLR.) If you want some good examples of what the Canon Rebel XT is capable of (with the assistance of some Photoshop) take a peek at page three of my friend's Facebook.

If you want to make the jump from point and shoot to DSLR, I'd say you should have a rather strong interest in photography. I took a look at your flickr and your stuff isn't half bad. A DSLR would really allow you to expand your photography, but I don't know how passionate you are about it.

Point and shoots are meant to be really easy to use, and that G7 looks pretty decent and easy to handle, especially with that image stabilization. And it's pretty much fact that the G7 is going to be much easier to carry around than any DSLR.

Wrapping up, I'd say only get a DSLR if you have a strong interest in photography. If not, stick with the point and shoots. I had two friends that got DSLRs only because they saw what I could do with one (and these were pretty wealthy people). Their interest in photography wasn't really that strong so their cameras just sit in their rooms a lot of the time. It's a waste really.

If you want some other camera recommendations, check out the Camera Resources thread.