Enthusiast point & shoot, or beginner DSLR?

At the moment, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to decide between a Canon Powershot G7X, and a Nikon D3200. I understand that the DSLR will probably take better photos than the point & shoot, but I prefer the size of the point & shoot, and I won't need to worry about spending loads of cash on lenses if I get the point & shoot.

It comes down to control and the ability to take a larger array of photos in a larger array of shooting situations. The G7X is a great pocket camera, but it's not to be used for fast moving subjects. It doesn't have the ability to be used as well as a DSLR in low-light, long exposures, with filters, sports, wildlife, landscapes.

I really think that since you like the form factor of the G7X, then considering a DSLR, any DSLR, is a mistake. If you need the control of a DSLR, but want the form factor of a p&s, then your best option are the mirrorless cameras from Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and Fujifilm. These brands make various formats of mirrorless cameras ranging from the small Micro 4/3 to 35mm format. Even the smallest format, Micro 4/3, is still twice as large as the sensor in the G7X.

It boils down to what do you NEED the camera to do. What are you taking photos of, and what do what to do with the camera? Night shots, stars, Milky Way, sports, macro - all of these require a more sophisticated camera than the G7X. Family photos, travel, vacation, snaps here & there, social events, that's where the G7X is at its best.

If you want the size of a point a shoot, but the capability and versatility of a DSLR. May I suggest looking in to mirrorless camera's. Here's the one that comes in to mind. Fuji X series, Sony NEX. Those 2 line of cameras are highly regarded and have a great lens line up.

Then you have already decided that the compact camera better suits your lifestyle. There's no point having a DSLR if it's clunkyness means it stays home on the shelf.

The G7X is much more than a simple point-and-shoot. It has a large sensor, good zoom range, shoots RAW format, has an articulating LCD touch screen, full manual control, and shoots stabilized 1080p video. It has many of the features of more expensive DSLRs. In most situations, a DSLR does not "take better photos" than the G7X.

I have both a G7X and DSLRs, When I want to travel light but not sacrifice photo quality or control, and won't need extreme zoom, I take my G7X. It fits in my pocket -- my DSLR and its big lens does not.

If you know photography, you wouldn't be asking. Since you did, the answer is Enthusiast Point-and-Shoot.