Time for an dslr

[PhotoHobbyist]

hi all -iv been using a Canon A460 for years now [taking about 10k] shots per year of artwork sized 2x2feet max from about 6 feet away . Thing is its done the job,but this camera doesnt last the course iv gone thru several.Rather than buy yet another used one im thinking would a dslr be a better bet? i take photos outdoors in the main . Have been browsing ebay and plenty of Sony A200 and Canon 450d , would they be worth a punt ? Also are these noisy shutters ?iv been used to almost silent image taking bothering nobody taking images when others are sitting eating nearby for example i dont want to draw a lot of attention . Many thanks for anyone who writes back iv not ever used a dslr or held one

For many years I used a Canon Powershot point-n-shoot. I regret not having upgraded earlier to a DSLR. The picture quality is far better. The ability to capture pics in raw format will increase dynamic range many fold (preserves details in shadows and bright lights). A good starter DSLR on the cheap would be the Canon T3i (called 600D in UK). If you can afford it jump all the way to a used Canon T6i (750D in UK) as it has significant improvements, but much cheaper than the T7i. Picking a good lens is far more important than the DSLR camera body. Christopher Frost has fantastic lens reviews on youtube. A great economical lens is the Sigma 17-55mm F/2.8 EX DC OS HSM. A great economical zoom lens is the Canon 55-250mm STM.

Canon has three lines of DSLRs:
consumer grade - 600D, 750D, ...
intermediate grade - 80D, 90D, ...
professional grade - 5D, 6D, ...

Now is a great time to buy a used DSLR as the market is flooded with used ones as folks upgrade to mirrorless causing the prices to be very affordable.