Wilt wrote in post #18407613
With the above very general description, I found the Canon Powershot SX540 and looked it up for a description of basic exposure control features
Shooting Modes: M, Av, Tv, P, Live View
...IOW it does nothing different/less for exposure flexibility than you will find in a $2000 (or even $5000) dSLR, and it does more than even a than truly professional grade SLRs of 40 years ago!!
What about metering capability?...
Light Metering Method: Evaluative, Center Weighted Average, Spot
...IOW it does nothing different/less for exposure flexibility than you will find in a $2000 (or even $5000) dSLR, and it does more than even a than truly professional grade SLRs of 40 years ago!!
!
What about shutter speed?...
Shutter Speed : 1-1/2000 sec.; 15-1/2000 sec. (in Tv and M modes)
...IOW it has only a bit less flexibility of shutter speed than you will find in a $2000 dSLR at 1/4000 (or even $5000 dSLR at 1/8000), yet its top shutter speed is faster than truly professional grade SLRs of 40 years ago!
How about zoom range of the lens?...
Focal Length: 4.3 (W) - 215.0 (T) mm (35mm film equivalent: 24-1200mm)
...IOW it gives up nothing vs. a typical dSLR for FL capability, although its lens is fixed to the body rather than interchangeable! Yes, a dSLR can allow the use of lenses with faster max apertures, but not all shooting is done needing the fast aperture lens
What you already own is a fine platform to LEARN the mastery of the fundamentals about technical aspects of the craft
And learning and mastery of compositional skills can be done with a $300 camera or a $3000 camera, both with only a 'normal lens' mounted on it
I suggest getting comfortable with what you have, and AFTER you learn a lot more where its LIMITATIONS are impeding your ability to shoot -- and after you figure out if a dSLR's capabilities are any better in that area,
you are ready to make an informed and wise purchase decision! Any sooner and you are merely throwing money at the issue in an UNINFORMED and UNEDUCATED fit of G.A.S.
And buying a nice USED dSLR -- even one which is 4-6 years old -- will expand the capabilities of the camera past the limitations of what you currently use. But armed with knowledge, you will be less likely to simply be throwing money away on an unwise choice.
At this point you have no idea of needs or desires specific enough for folks to make 'best choice for your NEEDS' recommendations. It is a bit like asking
Q: I need to buy a car, what do I get?
A1: Buy a Fiat
A2: Buy a Chevy Malibu
A3: Buy a Porsche convertible
A4: Buy a Ford F150 pickup
A5: Buy a Hummvee
...all very different vehicles suitable for very different purposes, but which one fits your needs?
Exactly!
My camera tops out at 1/1000th shutter speed, my focal length is, by choice, limited to 50mm, and my ISO is largely set at 400, although I can get wild and shoot up to 3200 if I throw some ND or color filters on my lens.
Now, I’m an extreme example, an anomaly that by no means establishes a standard reference point. Not even close.
Nevertheless, what a photographer actually needs, or for that matter, just wants, is obviously going to vary, and the OP already has a camera that allows for pretty extensive flexibility.
Of course, buying a new camera can simply be fun, if not necessary, especially if the funds allow for it with little compromise, but given that the OP has a very capable camera, he is already set to learn not just the fundamentals but also about what gear is actually applicable to his style and needs (which are themselves something that might also evolve).
When I first got seriously into photography, I certainly thought the 70-200mm would be an essential addition, obviously. However, within months, I realized that I had little desire to shoot anything longer than a normal lens, and I eventually discovered that I simply enjoyed using primes more than zooms. A lot of what I initially expected effectively collapsed.
Again, this is completely anecdotal, but for beginners in general, today’s cameras, including bridge cameras or even smartphones, offer so much quality, that they can often meet the needs of many photographers, amateur to pro, depending on the photographer’s objectives.
Also, as MalVueX stated, do NOT underestimate the value of post processing, even if it just involves a slight tweak to contrast, saturation, and sharpness. A lot of those ‘Shot on iPhone’ photos have received a decent amount of post-shot primping, and that’s completely fine…IT’S NOT CHEATING!
Probably just in time for the 6D2 to be about 1/2 the price it is now due to poor sales. 
