I like the travel zoom category for this sort of need. About the size and weight of the E-PM1 body; plenty of zoom; macro. You give up a VF though, and the IQ is of course going to be a compromise, but it's nice to have a versatile and capable option when you don't want to deal with bigger body and/or multiple lenses.

I have a Canon SX230, but if I were buying today I'd be looking at the Sony HX30V. Sony provides the best bells and whistles IMO, with stuff like low light mode, as lenshoarder points out, and panorama. Also high quality video, if that matters.

Although the IQ is not up to my epm1 standard, I've decided to go with the Panasonic fx150 just for hiking. This was after yesterday I missed a great heron shot of several together because I had just taken a low light shot (under some dense bushes) with my 20 and didn't have time to put on the 14-150. That was it for me - better a lower IQ than no shot at all!

Thanks for all your help.

Lyn

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Olympus E-PM1, Olympus 14-42mm II R, Olympus 14-150mm, Panasonic Lumix 20mm

Lyn - do you mean the Panasonic FZ150? Great choice. That's the camera I would have recommended. Great still and video image quality, shoots RAW, and if you are interested in video at all, it has an external mic input and there's no limit on your recording time.

I often "borrow" my wife's FZ when I leave the house instead of carrying my GH2 and multiple lenses.

Good luck!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Thanks, Bill,

Yes I meant the FZ150! It is supposed to come in this Friday and I can't wait - been watching youtube videos about it and it sounds like just the thing for me.

Lyn

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Olympus E-PM1, Olympus 14-42mm II R, Olympus 14-150mm, Panasonic Lumix 20mm