[nature boy]

I need to purchase a high quality point and shoot for traveling.  Will be taking mostly outdoor pictures (land, scenery, real estate) that need to be of relatively high quality (sharp images) for reports and presentations.  Must be easy to use, fairly rugged and compatible with both Mac & PC's. Leaning toward a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5.

Other suggestions would be appreciated.

NB   

[AlexG]

The Pani is a good choice but I suggest the new Fuji X10 if you can get one...I have one and it is just incredible!!

[groovybassist]

My wife and I use an Olympus XZ-1 - takes great pics, even on auto.  Olympus is having some financial trouble, so you may be able to get at a discount if you're willing to take the risk.

-Mike

[Photon46]

My bread & butter camera is an EOS 1Ds II, so being comfortable with Canon's operating controls, layout, etc. led me to get a G11 as my stealth travel cam. It leaves little to be desired in that role IMO. The Lumix you mention would be a good alternative as well.

[charmerci]

Look into the Canon S95 also.

[nature boy]

Should have said I have a $400 spending cap.  I also just found this helpful comparison http://www.dpreview.com/articles/4333175133/buyers-guide-enthusiast-raw-shooting-compact-cameras.


NB

[twitch54]

led me to get a G11 as my stealth travel cam. It leaves little to be desired in that role IMO.

x2..........love mine as well.

[Deanster]

Canon S95 or its slightly newer sibling S100 are amazing cameras. Absolutely the best pocketable P&S on the market.

Canon G12 as recommended above is outstanding. Pretty chunky for pocketing, some add'l features, and costs a bit more, but always a good choice.

Final recommendation is Canon SX40 HS - a super-zoom, about 2/3 the size of an SLR, same sensor as the two cameras above, but with a MUCH longer zoom lens. Great choice if you need more flexibility and zoom than a pocketable, but don't want full SLR bulk.

IMHO, these three are so far beyond the competition in picture quality, optical stabilization and low-light performance that you're literally insane to consider other P&S cameras.

[nature boy]

The Canon SX40 HS looks good, but does not have GPS - an unfortunate omission by Canon.  Maybe a bit larger than I envisioned but at just over 1 lbs. it's not like lugging a DSLR around - UGH! Other than lack of GPS...looks very promising.

NB

Canon S95 or its slightly newer sibling S100 are amazing cameras. Absolutely the best pocketable P&S on the market.

Canon G12 as recommended above is outstanding. Pretty chunky for pocketing, some add'l features, and costs a bit more, but always a good choice.

Final recommendation is Canon SX40 HS - a super-zoom, about 2/3 the size of an SLR, same sensor as the two cameras above, but with a MUCH longer zoom lens. Great choice if you need more flexibility and zoom than a pocketable, but don't want full SLR bulk.

IMHO, these three are so far beyond the competition in picture quality, optical stabilization and low-light performance that you're literally insane to consider other P&S cameras.

[Delta Wave]

I love my Canon G12...

[groovybassist]

I've had the Canon G9 and S90 and they were great cameras.  I don't have experience with the latest variants (G11/12 and S95/100), but I can tell you from my perspective, the Olympus takes better photos right out of the box, with minimal effort.  Whether or not the newest variants narrow that gap I can't say, but having owned both, I personally prefer the Olympus.  As in audio, cameras are a highly personal thing, so if you can physically handle each of these suggestions a bit before buying, that should help you get the best camera to fit your needs.  Good luck!

-Mike 

[nature boy]

Found a pretty cool website snapsort. Here is the Canon XS40 vs. Olympus XZ-1 comparison.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-SX40-vs-Olympus-XZ-1

NB

[groovybassist]

Interesting site, but I think it's purely a numbers game, meaning best specs wins.  As we know in audio, specs don't always tell the whole story.  I'd put more weight on what sites like dpreview say, but the best thing to do is try 'em out, see what you like and buy it.

-Mike

[Scottdazzle]

I love my Canon G12...

Same here. +1 on the Canon G-12.

[Netdewt]

Yes, S90/5 or G10/11/12.

[Delta Wave]

The Canon G12 is more like a real range-finder camera in a compact package, it even has manual focus. The only thing it is lacking is an interchangeable lens system. It absolutely excels at low-light shots, you just have to actually know how to use a camera. GPS on a camera, really? Should it make phone calls too? You want a camera, buy an actual camera, not some yuppy gadget to wow your friends. 

[Netdewt]

The only thing it is lacking is an interchangeable lens system.

And in most cases, this is not a benefit, because people use the crappy kit lens. I bet the lens on the S and G Canons is better than their ultra low end SLR kit lenses.

[Delta Wave]

And in most cases, this is not a benefit, because people use the crappy kit lens. I bet the lens on the S and G Canons is better than their ultra low end SLR kit lenses.

I would definitely agree with you on that one.

[nature boy]

Thanks for the input and additional information. I have narrowed to the Canon G12 and Olympus XZ-1, the SX40 HS is simply to big and heavy for my purposes.  Regarding GPS comments - it's not a yuppy thing but a practical one for me.  I will likely be traveling to multiple locations and simply need to be able to distinguish pictures of one place/property from another, so it's a pretty important feature for me

NB 

[sharpsuxx]

I just got back from my honeymoon and took the canon 240 hs with me.  Great pocket point and shoot with GPS tagging too.  Would have liked to have the water proof olympus when I was climbing the falls in jamaica but I have never liked the PQ from Olympus.