I’ve tried many compacts and none really give me the flexibility/quality/performance that I need. However, a solution that has really worked well for me is the Olympus E-500 and standard kit lenses. The 8megapixels is more than ample resolution and the two lenses combined give me a 14-150mm range (28-300mm in traditional 35mm terms). The kit is also really light and easy to use and can be carried around in a small kit bag. Sure, it has its restrictions in terms of hi-iso performance and the lenses aren’t as good as my main line Sigmas. However, for a great set to carry about for those just-in-case moments, I find it hard to beat. Plus using it takes me back to my early photographic days with my OM2.