To sell or not to sell..

I have a Canon 500D and a 15-85mm lens..
But I'm just not really happy with it.. I love the lens, just the body I don't really like as it just doesn't give me the detail I want. I really need a 60D or a 5D Mark 2 to be fully happy.
Since what I have now isn't making me fully happy, I'm thinking about selling my DSLR and getting a High end point and shoot camera, the PowerShot S100.
I figure since I'm not happy with the detail I'm getting from what I already have, I might as well just get a nice point and shoot camera and will probably be able to take almost just as nice photos with it and not have to carry a large camera everywhere I go.
Having a nice small camera I can take anywhere, have good macro and have zoom and have it all in a nice little camera case. Some of my best close up photos I have taken are with a cheaper point and shoot style camera, so I know it is possible to get some really nice pictures.
But, I have to sell all my gear to be able to get this camera as it cost $400 and I don't have extra money to put out and no interest in saving. But it gives me a little sick feeling knowing I'm taking such a big step in selling my camera gear.. But why keep it when I'm not 100% happy with it.. Photography is my main hobby and I love it, but just not really that all impressed with the image quality from my 500D and I think that the new point of shoot camera will get me pretty close to this and put a little extra money in my pocket for external flash for point and shoots and well that is all I really need..
DSLR is a money pit and I think in my situation now I can't afford to buy anything more for it, especially when I'm not happy with it.. 60D is $900 and that is what need to be happy, but it doesn't end there..
I think maybe I can just master the art of photography with a point and shoot and make some pretty good pictures with that.. Point and shoot doesn't mean I use everything in full auto mode, they have full manual settings just like a DSLR

What are your thoughts?

This may seem like a ramble on, but it's like breaking up with a great girlfriend, but for some reason you just can't be together because shes not everything you want.. You could be happy with her, but still.. She is high maintenance and you just don't have the funds to keep going with her..

could you expand a bit on what detail is missing from your shots with what you've got? you've got
a good body and one of the better lenses for it, I'd like to better understand what it's not doing for you.
you mention close ups - maybe you need a macro lens.

P&S cameras certainly have their place. As you mentioned, they are usually far more convenient than carrying around a dSLR. That said, the set up you currently have should be capable of producing some very nice images with plenty of detail. IMO, a new dSLR may not necessarily be your answer for more detailed photos.....maybe you can post up some samples that demonstrate what you find lacking for some helpful advice on where to improve. On the other hand, if you would find more use out of a P&S, I would most certainly suggest that route. In the end, it's important to choose the tools that you find most useful (within budget of course) and don't fall victim to "hype".

I agree with the other posters. If photography is a passion of yours then dont sell off your gear just yet. Post up some shots, see if the gurus on here can give some guidance to improving your work. I know the images I produce now are leaps and bounds beyond what I was producing 12 months ago...

Well I know I can get some decently sharp images for what I have, but comparing to how sharp of images I think I can get with a point and shoot, I think I can come pretty close to the same, just maybe not be able to hold as much detail at larger sizes..
I really think I just need a full frame camera to satisfy what I need, but that is so far out of reach it's not even a option.

These aren't the greatest pictures my camera can do I'm sure, but this is some of what I got. Not looking to get better pictures with what I have, I'm just hoping to get some of the same image quality or close to it with a point and shoot. It's just so much smaller and easier to use..
The detail in the foreground is lacking and the details in the trees are lacking.. that always bothers me as I look for perfection even when it might not be possible.
so I feel that if I'm not getting 100% anyway of what I want, i just might as well get a easier to use camera in around the same level of detail.

I got lots more pictures then this and probably much better ones, but these are the ones I already have loaded up on my Image shack

IMAGE LINK: http://imageshack.us …images/191/img1​113bw.jpg/

IMAGE LINK: http://imageshack.us …mages/831/longb​ridge.jpg/

IMAGE LINK: http://imageshack.us …-images/26/lakesmall.jp​g/

IMAGE LINK: http://imageshack.us …-images/341/img2850u.jp​g/

This is my last photo I took with my camera a couple days ago

IMAGE LINK: http://imageshack.us …ges/109/mountai​nview.jpg/

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but the 60D has exactly the same sensor as your 500D, you wont get bugger all improvement in image quality by buying the 60D. Obviously glass plays a massive part in image quality.

I find it hard to believe any point & shoot could take a higher quality image than your body & lens under exactly the same conditions.

Me thinks he is pulling our leg

MesserschmittMan wrote in post #14154278
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but the 60D has exactly the same sensor as your 500D, you wont get bugger all improvement in image quality by buying the 60D. Obviously glass plays a massive part in image quality.

I find it hard to believe any point & shoot could take a higher quality image than your body & lens under exactly the same conditions.

Actually, the 60D has the same 18 megapixel sensor as the T2i (550D)... I hope You're kidding if you say that thing isn't capturing detail! (I have the T1i/500D, and like it for what it is; it will probably be replaced with the 7D this year, though, as I am thoroughly ready to graduate from a Rebel)

These shots look pretty good. If you are just wanting something a lot smaller, then sure, go for P&S. But from looking at these images, I'd say your cameras was NOT letting you down.

they look very good to me too.

rick_reno wrote in post #14155477
they look very good to me too.

I agree. Better than most of what I've ever shot.

Thanks for the compliments.
What I think I will do is just keep my camera body and sell everything else. That way later down the road I can just get a 50mm lens and still have a DSLR when needed, just encase someone wants some portraits done or something, and I also wont feel at a total loss by not having a DSLR.
After I sell everything else, that will still give me enough money to buy my complete point and shoot setup. So I can be happy on both ends with no regrets.