Originally posted by RioRico Better glass = clearer pictures. I distinguish between clarity of image, and impact of image.
+1 on that - unfortunately this is not as easily marketed as bells&whistles. A slow, ordinary focal length, non stabilized, non autofocus, non-coffee-making lens will do what it does extremely well (if it indeed is 'better glass') with a lot of subtlety and qualty, and clarity, when used right. When used wrong, the photos can suck as bad as with any other lens used wrong.
Maintaining that quality and extending the applicability - via faster aperture, zoom, automation, coffee making etc - the stuff pros need on occasion, and the stuff that's marketed to amateurs - is very expensive. Keeping the quality decent and price decent also does mean compromises again, but does not have to mean poor quality images.
I happen to use one of those 6x9 folders for landscapes - and get very good results indeed. But that camera is not applicable to all situations, and being fixed lens, will give a particular take on a scene.
Given the idea of knowing how to use your equipment 'right' - I would agree with your list of priorities putting the photographer first - but with the caveat that that's to make
repeatable results. We all can make a few excellent pictures without really knowing how to do that repeatedly and in various conditions.