Ok, the ideal backpacking camera will never exist, but this could go into the 'worth a look" list.
Panasonic LX3. As the premium Pana model, the DMC LX3 has an F2/2.8 24-60mm lens and a larger than most 1/1.63-inch 10 MP sensor.
The F2 /larger sensor and not too many pixel combo, could make this one a possible SLR alternative, note the full manual controls. Just over 9 oz
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08072102panasoniclx3.asp
Interestingly it has the CCD shift (Konica-Minolta ) image stabiliser and not their own in lens version.
Franco

Hi Franco,

I've taken a little time to look at this and it does seem promising, not to mention mega-eyecandy. The lens is huge step in the right direction.

That giant LCD seems to have eliminated a lot of controls, making me wonder how many steps it takes to access frequently used settings. I also wonder whether the auxiliary finder zooms or uses framelines to accommodate the zoom lens?

More here:

http://panasonic.net/pavc/lumix/lx3/high_image.html

It appears that the viewfinder covers the 24mm angle of view with a 60mm frame insert.
The 460k 3" LCD might be just good enough to operate in bright daylight (?)
Yes it does look rather delicious..
Franco

It's one new delicious toy after another!
My 'new' TZ2 is only a year old and hardly used so by the time I can justify a replacement, the DMC LX3 will have been replaced ! I hope so !
That hotshoe and viewfinder is wonderful.

I have the LX2 the preceded it and have *liked* this camera. The lens is great, the feature set was good (raw, 16:9 widescreen sensor) but it wasn't perfect - very slow with raw, noisy beyond ISO 100, did I mention slow?

This new version is interesting - faster lens, 40% better claimed sensitivity for better low light performance, hotshoe. I'm just hoping they gave it a bigger buffer to write those raw files - 8 seconds between images can be a drag.

Sometimes I just drag along the 5D and 24-105 L Lens - it weights more than my baseweight pack...

Wade
The media release list a "burst" mode at 2.5 frames a second at full resolution. Some have interpreted this to mean RAW, but I have been unable to ascertain this .
Franco

Wade, how do you carry your Canon 5D and 24-105 L? I'm looking for a way to attach a small camera bag or case to a ULA Catalyst, perhaps on a shoulder strap, for quick access to a Canon 10D.
..Mike

Edited by miksmi on 08/09/2008 14:04:20 MDT.