Considering Downgrading from DSLR to P&S

The G11 is OK but it doesn't have an EVF, the OVF cannot be accurate for framing and never have shooting info displayed (I always wonder why not?). The zoom range is not much either.

For $249 you can get a Kodak Z981 with 14mp, 26X zoom, with EVF of course, fully manual, IS, RAW

Len:

A friend of mine bought a Canon S90. He remarked the other day how he rarely uses his 20D anymore.

I have a Panasonic LX3 that I really like.

The newest versions of these are the S95 and LX5. They're certainly worth a look.

Eric

Don't forget the current micro 4/3 cameras by Olympus and Panasonic, recently joined by Sony (different mount I understand).

I dont want to turn this thread into a "dslr is so much better" type of thread but... there are a few other options that you have not considered in my opinion.

#1. Just because something is getting "long in the tooth" does not mean it takes any worse pictures than it did when it was brand new.

#2. Consider a couple of "cheap" prime lenses, you will be amazed at how you start to enjoy your photography (toss a 50mm 1.8 on your 20d and it helps with the bulk, and you will have top-notch IQ)
#3. I had the same issue with taking my dslr with me thinking that it was "too bulky". My best recommendation is to- just do it- as you start carrying it everywhere with you, it becomes much less of a bulk issue than you make it in your mind.

Good luck with your decision!

In overall terms I do not consider a move to a top line compact camera a 'downgrade' so long as you keep you DSLR for the 'jobs' it does best. I'm away on an extended trip at the moment and I decides for convenience to just take one camera with me and it is my Pany FZ50 and the DSLR with all its lenses is at home. As I move around I am slightly amused at all the folk, most likely just snap shooters, with their Canon DSLRs. If you are unlikely to print bigger than A3 and mostly work through the web then a camera like the FZ50 is plenty more than adequate and for the era features such as OIS, long zoom, and video really is an upgrade on the average DSLR in features and convenience along with relative light weight. Personally I am very glad financial restraints led me to my Nikon 5700 way back instead of one of the current DSLRs of the time. I'm no longer a pro so do not need the DSLR and while 4/3 is a step in the right direction they pale in comparison with my FZ50 [ I expect Canon have a comparable model, SxxIS or something]. If only they would bite the bullet and stop pandering to compactness and bring out a FZ50 4/3 equivalent with constant, or near constant maximum aperture instead of the dreadful "DSLR" practice of loosing two stops as you zoom, even on short focal length range zooms. I considered 4/3 for this trip and rejected it for this basic reason.
End of rant :-)
for now

Len

I make this decision this all time.

However, I always keep my DSLR. The reality is that over the course of a year I take about 4 times as many shots with my P&S relative to my DSLR. But, the fact is that when I want or need a DSLR it's nice to have it on hand.

Your 20D may have some miles on it, but it's still very much up to the job. Unless you crop a lot or print very large it's not likely to hold you back.

Good luck.

Paul

I no longer have a DSLR and I'm quite happy with the compacts I use. I do however have a panasonic G1 that fills in quite well for DSLR-like needs with it's AF 14-45mm and 40-200mm lenses. I generally use it with a little Industar 69 lens from a half frame Russian Chaika pocket film camera and a few Olympus OM prime lenses when I'm doing my own thing, which is most of the time.
I mostly use my compact "kit" lately however, which is a Ricoh GX8 for wide an normal use, and also a Sony H-20 for tele and HD video. The Ricoh has a teleconverter lens that gives about 22mm with it's regular 28mm default. The GX8 is an obsolete model, but Ricoh has some very nice newer models also. I'm very pleased with the IQ I get with the GX8 because it seems to lack a certain digital look I notice from most small sensor compacts, and the Sony itself is quite amazing for a really tiny sensor camera and it's 380mm equivalent tele end is f/4.4 which is faster than most small tele zoom cameras at the long end.
There's a lot to choose from in compacts these days, good luck!

Len, do you take pictures in low light? If so, consider the Olympus E-PL1, which has much higher image quality than the Canon G11 and costs about the same. If not, consider the Panasonic FZ35, which is so flexible (486mm telezoom!) you will be happy to be rid of your 20D.

i consider the fact that my g9 not having an EVF a plus. Yes, I know it's a crappy optical viewfinder. The only thing i miss on it is lack of HD video and wide angle. I think the G12 will have 720p. If you have an EX flash hang on to it if you stay with G-series