compact camera - (to supplement a nikon D80)

foxhound_2

I'm looking for a digital compact camera that i can take traveling with me.
I have a nikon D80 Digital SLR that i love, but feel its not suitable for me to go backpacking with it for 6 months - insurance, size, mugging/theft, etc.

So can anyone recommend a really good compact digital that would be suitable?
I'm looking for something with maybe a few more manual features (if it's worth it in a compact camera), with great image quality.
Basically something that won't disappoint me too much when comparing the photos to my D80, oh and preferably SD memory.
I've been looking at the panasonic lumix TZ3, and various canon ixus, any good?
Thanks

mich_city

I've recently bought a Nikon Coolpix P5100, pretty impressed with it so far, has most of the features that my daughters D40 has, photos are good in comparison.. and you'd be pretty much used to the various settings on it

got mine from pixmania, although no english manual.. had to download that.. online codes and cashback from quidco made it a good buy

unrich

I have a Samsung S850 and the pictures are great. Especially macro in program mode it can go to 1cm. Its like using a microscope. It has a manual mode as well as the priority modes. Two AA batteries last ages (rechargeable 2500mAh). Each image at highest quality take up about 3.5MB so loads fit on a 1GB SD Card. It will also do MP4 movies..

Anyway the S850 was cheaper than a Canon A570IS or the A720IS at the time. The S850 screen is a little dim in bright sun so the Canons may be better with a small optical viewfinder.

I wanted batteries that I could easily charge anywhere (including car) or get hold of ones from a shop. I already had the SD cards. I wanted manual controls (as I want to do things properly sometimes).

If you can get a deal on something like the S850 I'd say take a chance, otherwise Canon A570IS or above.

I'm no expert.

marklar_2

If you check https://www.kenrockwell.com he recommends the Canon Ixus range and from personal experience this is what I am electing to take travelling with me.