Well one thing is for sure the higher the resolution the more critical are the optics I wonder if the optics have been upgraded as well somehow I doubt it  I have found the images on my 5D SLR are more critical of the lens in use   .... The main advantage of the compact is ease of use and easy to carry around when you get to competing with the SLR with prices coming down they are either barking up the wrong tree, or being creative in finding new markets

Danny O'Byrne  http://www.digitalartzone.co.uk/

"All the technique in the world doesn't compensate for the inability to notice" Eliott Erwitt