I carried one on the TA. I buy cameras to use them. If you are so protective of them that you don't take them then why have them at all?

I don't think I would ever carry a big DSLR again but for weight reasons only.

I have since decided that it makes more sense, for me at least, to carry something lighter. I used a Nikon CoolPix S550 P&S and that worked out well, but have since gone to a 4:3 camera (Olympus PEN E-PL1) and am very happy with it.

I also recommend the Nikon Coolpix P7000. It is a great compromise between the DSLR and the P&S models feature and size wise. I had a chance to play with the one I bought for my daughter and it is a really nice camera in a moderate sized package. It has no interchangeable lens capability, but the zoom range is excellent as is the image quality. I have been quite impressed by the pictures she has taken with it.