Lightest Camera?

Define "light" and "reasonable".
Oh yes…do you have a price ceiling?

I think the quality of my Canon G10 at 16 ounces and $350 is an outstanding combination. There are 4 ounce cameras out there that might work just fine for you.

More input please.

Price is not a concern but the weight is. I am looking for the lightest options available. I am currently using an Olympus Stylus 720 and while durable does not take great pictures.

I have a Pentax Option W90 that is 5.5oz/155g with battery and works great for a hiking camera as it is waterproof to 20', shockproof and freeze-hardened too. I am satisfied with the image quality. It does 720p videos as well. Spare batteries are the size of a matchbook and 0.4oz/10g, so carrying a spare or two isn't a big deal.

The Canon S90 and S95 are probably the best for quality over weight— much of the workings of the G12 without the size and weight. 6.8 oz./193g with battery and card. They will shoot RAW format and videos

I would like to try another waterproof/toughened camera, the Lumix DMC-TS2S. From what I could find, weight is 5.9oz.

The waterproof cameras do not deliver the highest resolution because of design compromises in the lenses, but the W90 is adequate for my needs. I don't need to worry about rain or dust, so the camera is in a pocket up front, ready to go.

From what I could find, there is only a 2oz-2.5oz difference between most of the compact point and shoot cameras.

Most lightweight cameras come in one of two sensor sizes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_sensor_format): 1/1.7 or 1/2.5. Last time I checked, rugged/waterproof cameras (and superzooms) all had the significantly smaller 1/2.5 sensor, which gives inherently lower quality images. I'm currently considering the Canon S95 (1/1.7) and the Sony NEX-5 (APS-C). I'm probably going to hold off, though, because I think there are going to be a lot more compact APS-C and micro-4/3 cameras hitting the market. If I didn't already have a decent P&S I'd go with the S95 today – but when I'm hiking somewhere spectacular I suck it up and carry an APS-C DSLR.

Ross
If you are after a rugged camera (waterproof/drop proof) I think the Pana TS2 is the one. Definitely better image quality than the Stylus 720
If image quality is more important again, then look at the Canon S90/95,Fuji F200EXR, Pana LX 3, Nikon P7000, Canon G12.
I have listed those by weight (lightest ,6.9 oz, to heaviest, 14 oz) but that also roughly corresponds to expected image quality too.
The Nikon (at this stage) is mostly an educated guess.
Franco

I carry a Nikon Coolpix S210 which weighs 117g with battery. It is 8 megapixel with 3x optical zoom. The picture quality is decent, not very amazing though.

It is lightweight though!

Thanks for all the suggestions; I will take a hard look at the Canon S95. Heading off to Zion NP in a couple of weeks which by all accounts the scenery demands a good camera.

I have a large heavy DSLR. For shorter hikes when photography is the main interest I use it. For longer hikes with photography second I choose a Sigma DP-1x because of the physical sensor size. I will look closely at the new Fuji x100 when it comes out as I like a viewfinder and with the EVF I should be able to use a polarizing filter. I print up to 12×18 and don't think the smaller sensors will get me there. If you print smaller or are using the web a smaller sensored camera may just be the ticket.

Seriously check this camera out! I own it and it's epic. The camera is 12x optical zoom. The SLR equivelent is 25 – 300 mm. It takes awesome HD video and has a built-in GPS. The GPS works great….spot on. I believe the camera is 10 mp. It may be a 12 mp? It comes with a Leigh lens. The camera weighs under 8 ounces. I carry it in the belt pocket of my pack.

I just sold a Canon S90 because I got a Sony Nex-5. With its 16mm f/2.8 lens it's not much bigger or heavier than the S90, but the image quality is considerably better — it actually even has better high-ISO performance (i.e. less noise) than my Nikon D300, which I stopped carrying in order to reduce pack weight.

With the upcoming firmware update, due in mid-October according to the review on the Luminous Landscape, the Nex ought to become a lot more user-friendly — and it will be able to autofocus with A-mount lenses.

"It comes with a Leigh lens."

I think you mean a Leica lens.

–B.G.–

I was wondering who Leigh was, and why Panasonic was using their lenses :)