A quick update....Not long after I wrote the above, I found and actually did buy a Lumix LX2 for $450, and I really DO think it might be the coolest point & shoot on the planet. It's slightly larger than the really thin models (like my Canon SD550 and Lumix FX01), but still very small and amazingly powerful! Here are the highlight features (in addition to the features you find on most other p&s's) that make it different:
- Ability to shoot in true RAW format
- Image stabilization
- High sensitivity mode (automatically bumps ISO and/or shutter speed in low light situations so you can still get the shot)
- 10megapixel 16x9 panorama shots
- 28mm (film equivalent) wide angle lens (most p&s cameras have a widest angle of about 35mm)
- a special "high angle" viewfinder mode for you short people who have to hold the camera up high to shoot pictures over other people's heads

To give you an idea what all this means in the real world, here are a couple of shots I've taken with it (these are lo-res versions of the originals) in the few days I've had it.

The first was inside my car (to show a problem with my nav screen) in a dark garage - using high sensitivity mode, it automatically bumped the ISO to 3200, and even at a shutter speed of 1/4 second, the image stabilization made the picture come out amazingly sharp...considering I was shooting in the dark! You can see the photo in this thread (can't upload it twice):
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...up-camera.html

The second one (attached) was taken out my side window in Northern Arizona while driving down the highway at 73mph (had cruise control on) using shutter priority mode (1/1300th of a second, f/8). One of the primary reasons I bought this camera (and my other Lumix) was so I could take sharp (not blurry) photos while in moving cars and/or on moving motorcylces. I've never been able to do that with any of my Coolpix or Canon p&s cameras.

Transfer those 8 tracks to your iPod, and squeeze the last of those flash cubes taking pictures of yourself to give to your fans.:rofl:

Thank you to everyone for their imput on this thread. I went with the Canon SD630 and I love it. Move over MD - I may be changing my custom title to Boring Azz Picture Queen :rofl:

530? I think you said you got SD630?

Correction - SD630. I need more coffee :) Today is back to reality. I'm not ready to jump into the day yet.

What about the Pentax Optio:
W20 http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06080701pentaxw20.asp

I have the 6 MP version of this camera, it takes great pics & video i small enough to fit in my pocket and you can take some under water pics or vids with it (it is water resistant up to 5ft. for 30 minutes.) :-)