Wish list
You're in luck. Both of the things you want to do are possible in R3-4.
1) You can make sub-1-degree rotations by typing in the rotation amount
in the Key Info dialog.
2) Although objects can't be unlinked during an animation, you can
simulate that effect PERFECTLY by using multiple copies of the
objects with the Hide/Unhide tracks. Isn't there a tutorial that
comes with R3 that explains this?
– G