If you look at my gallery, you will see my first year or so I used a Fuji Finepix 2800. I love that little point and shoot! It took great pictures and was so easy to carry everywhere.
When I upgraded I went to a Lumix FZ30, most of my post are from that camera and I'm happy with most of the shots, but I hate the macro, unless your shooting in a studio with additional lighting, it's not a quick macro shot and you have to remember to set the focus to MAF (macro auto focus) or manual.
I finally upgraded to a decent camera (for what I could afford) a Pentax K20D and I having the hardest time with the weight, since you have to carry all those extra lenses, but it's been well worth it and I'm still learning lots about the ins and outs of it.  I think I've only posted one picture so far with the new camera (Bishop Creek).
Oh yeah, even though the batteries seem expensive for the Lumix, you can get them alot cheaper on Ebay or some of the camera houses that sell off brand batteries.  I was able to buy 2 for the price of one and always carry around 3 in my bag at all times.
Hope this helps,
Kim

Kim Hawkins

 

Kim Hawkins Eastern Sierra Gallery