In many years of traveling mostly on water, I have found that cameras are kind of like lifejackets. The one you have with you is always the best. If it keeps you from doing the things you need to do, its value is limited.
To this end we need and carry 3 very different cameras.
For picture taking and nothing spontaneous, we carry a Canon SX60 (a recent replacement for an S3IS) that we use to get the great pictures that require a lot of capability. Great Glass and amazing ASA, but it is large and lives in a tool box.
For carrying and convenience and those spontaneous moments we have a Nikon L3. Good Nikon Glass and fits in a pocket. It uses AA batteries that are easy to get, carry and throw away.
For times we want a camera available and don't want to worry about it, we have a Fuji XP175. Good pixel count, but only passable picture quality. But it always has come home alive with the pictures intact.
As said, pictures you have beat those you could have gotten if you had a camera at that moment.
Matt
