Buy an entry level dslr. If you want to take pics of anything moving, kids, cars ect. There well worth it. You dont need to go from full auto to manual. There are other settings to help you get the efects you want without needing to change everything.
I do have a compact but its water proof for taking into pools ect. Still travel with my dslr aswell for good pics. If you think a camera is heavy to carry around your just bloody soft.