I however have had great luck without a DSLR. I use what they call an advance point and shoot. it has the stupid auto setting which most people use, and if put on that setting you will get crappy point and shoot quality pictures, BUT if you can put in on the M (manual setting) you can get very high quality pictures. I have had people look at some of my pictures of various things and ask which DSLR I had lol my camera has a great macro setting as well which really helps. A trip pod is also a must too, then just set it on burst, I think my Canon Powershot IS110 SX does like 1.5 shots per second which is plenty. practice practice practice, sometimes sony gave an aquarium feature on some of there cameras, I know my sisters had it till she dropped and broke it. If you know how to use your sony... it will take some great pictures, just get it off the auto setting and play around with all the adjustments till you start getting good pictures.
on a side note I dont recommend buying ANY camera right now, I have read a few times that over the next 1-2 months prices on TV's and cameras will be dropping. you dont want to spend $500-700 on a DSLR to later find out that same one you could have gotten for $300-500 now