I am far from being an expert on this but like you I used to use a small compact digital camera (Canon Powershot A530) for my animations, more recently I bought an EOS digital reflex camera (Canon 1100D) and I been animating with it besides Filming (HD) and Photographing (high resolution photos).

please note that when I animate I make low res photos as frames - obviously due to file size.
but the quality is much better (HD animations) and also the power of a reflex lens (control of focus).
I use a tripod and a separate shutter button for animation also to minimize camera movement.

hope this was useful in any way and happy animating