Thinking about taking a step back!

[Ambrosia76]

While I love my Canon 60d and am learning new things with it all the time it is not always practical for every moment that I want to be able to take pictures. I want to purchase a point and shoot as a extra for when I want to take pics but not lug the big camera around.

I had a fujifilm Finepix 1000 that was great but I gave it to my daughter.

I am not concerned with price or brand. So tell me what your favorite P&S is, I do prefer one that has some manual control capabilities like my fujifilm had.

[CurlyCorry]

I have an Olympus SP510 that I LOVE. Its a nice size without being too small. Not sure what they've got now (olympus) thats comparable but the camera (5-6yrs old) still takes wonderful shots, feels great in my hand, has manual functions as well as a great zoom.

[metallion58]

I don't always lug my whole kit around. It's just not an option for me.
So a few years back, I got myself a small Canon Elph (sd14000) which takes pretty decent pictures, even when enlarged. I've got 4 of them hanging in my living room at 11 by 14.
So I suggest you check first for the performance and control you want (manual control, RAW format and such) and then, refine your choice with the form factor you want.
BTW, there is an added bonus in using a P&S from time to time. It forces you to concentrate on your composition since, in most cases, you have less manual controls to think about. So the vision you develop on those will transcribe in your use of the dSLR.
Consider it a sidestep instead of a step back. A different tool for a different job.

[zona5101]

Canon G12
NIKON P7000
Fuji X100 ($$$)

[mosgood]

+1 Metallion

My hubby & I went with a Canon PS SX100IS. Being that it's a few years old now, there's probably a newer version available. It has some manual features, does video, & is fairly versatile. Small enough to keep in a purse or backpack, but too big for a pocket. Its downside is shutter lag...seems like forever from the time we press the shutter release before it actually captures an image. Bad if you're shooting anything with a short attention span or if it's windy. It also doesn't have a viewfinder (I always forget!)-live view only (battery eater-2 AAs at a time). I carry spares which adds additional weight. Hopefully more recent models have addressed these 2 issues.

Can't say it's a favorite, but it mostly does what I ask. :-)

[ceremus]

I'd go for the Canon G12 (current owner of a G11 and love it), or an S95/S100 if you'd like something a little more pocketable.

[Jim Bryant]

if you have the money, spring for the Canon G-12.

[Quo Fan]

I picked up a Nikon LR22 (since superseded by the LR24) for my point and shoot for when I want to take snap shots and not make photographs. I chose that particular camera because it took regular AA batteries, and not a proprietary battery. I have enough of those types of cameras, and it always seems the batteries are dying at the most inopportune time.

[Doug Pardee]

It's not what you're looking for, but my preference is one of the waterproof cameras. I pop it in my pocket and it goes anywhere, in any conditions, and I don't worry about it getting hurt. [Although it does feel really strange to wash the dust off of it by swirling it around in a sink full of water.]

[SwissJon]

Nikon P7000 - Decent Lens, shoots RAW, f/2.8, control layout not dissimilar to DSLR. 6400 max ISO 28-200mm equiv. VR Can use i-TTL hotshoe flash. Rangefinder. Uses standard Nikon wireless Remote
Canon G12 - Same as above but for Canon users. Max ISO 3200 28-135mm
Canon S95 - Max aperture f/2 significantly smaller pocketable.
Nikon N1 - Not sure, only just come out, but looks good.
Samsung EX1 - f/1.8 lens. Shoots RAW