I'm posting this as a point of discussion… feel free to chime-in with your own thoughts please.
P&S cameras are a uniquely suited technology for backpackers as they can be made so small and light. I've had my share, but I think my days with them are over, despite the weight/size advantage they have.
In the last 10 years every P&S I've had eventually developed dust spots on the sensor. The expense of sending them in to be cleaned is more than they are worth in used condition. Obviously I could go to a "waterproof/dustproof" camera with a fully sealed body like Nikon Coolpix AW130, but the image quality I want just isn't there.
I know it's important to keep dust buildup around the retractable lens of a P&S to a minimum. The sensor dust build-up happens because the lens essentially acts like a miniature bellows, pushing out and pulling in air (and dust!) when it's opened and closed. For a backpacker, trying to avoid this is about impossible over the long haul.
There is a lot of buzz on this forum about the Sony RX100's, and rightfully so! The images the little beauty is capable of are impressive. However, tempted as I am (I actually bought one but returned it), I will no longer be buying camera's that cannot be field cleaned, easily and inexpensively. As far as I'm concerned, dust on the sensor renders these $450-$950 cameras worthless.
OTOH, a DSLR or Mirrorless camera can be easily field clean. And actually, a mirrorless even more easily than a DSLR. If this isn't a good thing for a backpacker, I don't know what is! As a result, I think I'm currently leaning towards a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1, even though the Sony RX 100's generally seem to produce slightly better images.
If it seems like I'm picking on the Sony RX's, it's because I am! These are not inexpensive cameras and sensor dust is not only a real possibility, but will be a reality sooner or later if the camera is used enough.
Here's an interesting blog post about the RX100 and Sensor dust:
http://steven-pam.tumblr.com/post/63141455133/rx100-mk-ii-impressions
Here's a quote lifted from the blog:
"Most of the above dislikes are really only quibbles. Unfortunately this last one is, for me, a total deal-breaker (and why I won’t be keeping the camera).
A few days in, I started to see SENSOR DUST on my images, especially at smaller apertures. Yes, I had been on a beach walk, but I had clean hands and never put the camera down, sat down, kicked up sand, or anything that would even remotely constitute abusive or careless handling of the camera. If it’s that susceptible to sensor dust, it’s totally not going to work as a take-everywhere camera. At least with a DSLR you can clean your sensor. Sending the camera away for cleaning every time I go for a beach walk is not going to work!"
For more on the WWW about sensor dust and the RX100 just google "Sony RX100 Sensor Dust"… you'll be amazed how much you turn up.
Just some rambling thoughts on a beautiful Montana morning…
