nearly all non-DSLRs with have a much smaller imaging sensor
which means loads of noise at higher ISOs because the individual photosites (= pixels) are smaller
( custard, Sat 23 May 2009, 19:50, archived)

agree
DX format sensor almost 4 times the size of a cheap and nasty one in my S100FS
( Rotating Wobbly Hat That's not a banana. THIS is a banana., Sat 23 May 2009, 19:52, archived)

yep; most not full-frame (same size as a frame of 35mm film) DSLRs, including DX
have a sensor which is the same size as the defunct APS(C) film format whereas the sensor in a point & shoot digicam will be barely the size of your smallest finger nail (and many are even smaller)
( custard, Sat 23 May 2009, 19:56, archived)

have two extra points for
your background knowledge
( Rotating Wobbly Hat That's not a banana. THIS is a banana., Sat 23 May 2009, 19:58, archived)