One of these, perhaps?

Superzoom: Maybe Sony DSC-HX9V

"Professional" but bulky: Canon G12

Interchangeable Lens: Olympus Pen series Or Lumix G series

Fancy retro style: Fuji X100

I think only the Sony fits your search for a compact thou, the rest gets a bit bigger. Sorry, I'm really in the compact with interchangeable lens phase right now ;) However it's easier to find decent quality lenses there, I guess...

I've recently read a positive review of Fuji X100, though I can't remember and find it.

If you want lot's of options so that you can tweak them, then go for a professional DSLR.

If you want something very thin and light, just search for the latest Sony models. I've seen new ultra-thin models on the web...

Good luck.

I agree with Richard....

I have the canon s95 (and also several much larger Canon DSLR) and think the s95 is by far the best point and shoot I have ever had (and is currently on the market) and takes amazing shots for such a compact camera.

When I travel, I usually take several cameras, the s95, DSLR, and an underwater/waterproof point and shoot. You need one for every situation! And it case one has an issue.... you will not go home with no pictures...

Try the Olympus PEN cameras - EP2 or the new EP3 (review and what I'd get).

or Sigma SD14 or SD15 (if you feel bold, fixed-lens DP2x) for the Foveon sensor filmlook.

Might want to look at one of these from the Panasonic Lumix superzoom range:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/panasonic-reveals-lumix-fz47-superzoom-lets-you-shoot-1080i-vid/

The previous models were FZ-35, 45. I've used the FZ-35 myself as well as recommended it to friends and they were all very satisfied with it. It's very compact and light for a ~24x zoom camera, has a viewfinder, 25mm wide angle, can take filters, very good image sabilization therefore good low-light performance, good depth-of-field rendering and plenty of settings. It can also work as a camcorder.

The optics are pretty decent on most of today's mid-range cameras. The image quality therefore has more to do with sensor size and processing algorithm. If you don't need super-sized blow-ups this is a great camera.

Once you go superzoom, you'll never go back...

Hi Andrew,

I recently bought a Canon Powershot S95 in Singapore, based on the recommendation of a mate, and have been super happy with it.

It is one of the few cameras which give you an amazing Digital SLR experience, it is small, very light, and captures amazingly bright colours, and does not cost much ;-)

Canon PowerShot S95 10 Megapixel Digital Camera with 3.8x Optical Zoom, 3" LCD, Hybrid IS, Face Detection, Blink Detection, Black - 4343B001

http://www.buy.com/prod/canon-powershot-s95-10-megapixel-digital-camera-with-3-8x-optical-zoom/q/sellerid/10001650/loc/33409/217127209.html

Also have a look at the Panasonic Lumix series. They generally have top reviews because they have Carl Zeiss lenses (top-quality lenses means top-quality pictures).