Digital Compact comments please

I have been thinking about a pocketable compact and for me it would need a x7 lens to cut it, I have though about the Ricoh R8, Panasonic Lumix (in particular the DMC-TZ5EB-K with its 10x lens).

Mostly this is for the addition of the good quality video. I would not try and go for a viewfinder option as it is only going to be a second camera and I would also forget a hot-shoe (I don't think there is any point in having a pocketable camera with a non-pocketable flash!)

I have an old Nikon Coolpix 880, which really server me well, however the current offering of the P5100 only has a 3.5 x zoom. It does have a viewfinder and a hotshoe though. I do think that you won't get exactly what you want and get it in your pocket! Forget the viewfinder and hotshoe and you will be getting a bit closer.

Failing that, you could try the Sigma DP1, you can get a seperate viewfinder (only £640.75!).

If I was going, I would get something like the Panosonic or the Rioch and take my K10D with my sigma 18-200 (+ 1.5 Kenro converter).

I've been through this, and the only answer to the miniscule sensor size on digi compacts is to get a second hand film compact and a half decent film scanner

That's a good idea Kevin. There are some quality film compacts, but a lot of them fall short of the image quality obtainable from an SLR.

How about a Rollei 35T (Tessar lens) or 35S (Sonnar lens) but you might need a clip on rangefinder to focus them accurately. The only downside is that the lens cannot be retracted unless you wind on first, so a previous owner might have totally wrecked the interlinks.

If you refer to airplane cabin storage, then I understand, but if you refer to the way Canadians are "living", the I resent the comment.