A photographer takes a good photograph. The camera is just a tool, and if you want to enjoy taking photographs, then you are gonna want to enjoy holding your camera. It is your best friend and you will want to take it everywhere.
Sssssooooo, you're gonna want to buy something that you like to hold. Go to a few shops nearby and hold a few, play with the buttons, look at the prices.
I use Olympus and I am very used to their features and where buttons are and what terminology they use. It is comfortable for me.
If there is something about what Canon do for you, then continue the relationship, but get out there and have a play around.
I would ask the question, what do you want your next camera to do for you? Mine was exposures over 30 sec, aka bulb setting. Simple purchase for a "cable release" and I had it.
Agree with Jason and JA as well. Ask yourself what you want the camera to do. For instance why would you want a DSLR? Interchangeable lenses? Good ones are expensive, so if you aren't willing to invest a thousand dollars extra, I'd stick with the bridge camera and its all-purpose zoom. Do you want more control over the exposure parameters? What exactly do you want to do that your bridge camera can't? Do you want an exact "through the lens" viewfinder? Do you want to automatically "bracket shots" for HDR? Do you want more sophisticated "through the lens" Auto Focusing? Will you be happy with a heavier camera (2 pounds, or 3 or 4 or more with a good general purpose zoom)?
If you do decide to go with something new, I'd recommend Nikon since I am familar with them. I do not know Canon. I'd suggest a D5100, for which you can get a good deal now that the D5200 is now in the market. I would buy a book that describes your camera, something more than just a manual. For the Nikon cameras, Rob Sylvan's books are a great introduction. Look in at Amazon.
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Sssssooooo, you're gonna want to buy something that you like to hold. Go to a few shops nearby and hold a few, play with the buttons, look at the prices.
I use Olympus and I am very used to their features and where buttons are and what terminology they use. It is comfortable for me.
If there is something about what Canon do for you, then continue the relationship, but get out there and have a play around.
If you do decide to go with something new, I'd recommend Nikon since I am familar with them. I do not know Canon. I'd suggest a D5100, for which you can get a good deal now that the D5200 is now in the market. I would buy a book that describes your camera, something more than just a manual. For the Nikon cameras, Rob Sylvan's books are a great introduction. Look in at Amazon.