"Downgrade" to P&S...

[jmb667]

So my wife got me a Rebel XSi for Christmas and I love it; I have the kit lens, the 70-300mm IS and 50mm macro. I've taken some great shots, but I'm butting up against the lens changing and size of the camera (and lenses).

Previously I had the Canon SX100IS and loved it, so I'm thinking about going back to one of the "high-end" P&S cameras like the new SX20IS or even the G90. When we travel I have to manage not only my gear but my wife's as well (she has to use a wheelchair sometimes, so I'm often the pack mule (no complaints, though!); ideally I need something that'll shoot great pictures, but fit in my pack or messenger. I also carry a video camera (Canon FS200) when we travel, so that's one more piece of gear.

Anyway...any suggestions or advice? Some of my best shots were with my SX100 (I looked back through my galleries this evening)...

[sk66]

I made a similar post some time ago...about downgrading...
No complaints, ok a few "complaints" but the negatives were known going in, and the convenience often far outweighs the negatives.... A G10 (s90/G11) is about as far as I'm willing to go....(I insist on manual control ability and RAW recording)

My D3 is my "serious camera" My G10 is my "everything else" camera, but I get great pics from it and sometimes it is my choice for even "serious work" due to what it does better or convenience.

[jmb667]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, it's mostly a convenience issue. I don't shoot RAW now, so I wouldn't lose anything there (that comment's gonna get me banned, isn't it? ). My wife suggested trying the camera out before making up my mind, since one of the issues with my SX100 was the fast-motion photography...shutter was way too slow.

[inkista]

If you can wait for the fall announcements, I'd wait and see what's going to replace the G11, S90, SX20IS, and SX120IS. P&S cameras tend to be on a one-year life cycle, and all four of those cameras were announced last August. An HD-capable G12 might help you lighten the load even more.

And a possibility in the other direction might be to give up some image quality/speed and look into getting an 18-200 for your XSi.