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For low light I would avoid the super zoom compacts, look at X3 X4 zooms, these generally have wider apertures and better control in low light.
Sensor size can make a difference as well, one of the reasons I go on about CSC`s, second hand is always a good option if on a tight budget.
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand-Search/?Order=Latest&View=Grid&SHMa...
Thought these were good buys, would be ideal fitted with the body cap lens 
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Olympus-EP-1-+14-42+-FL-14-flash.-SAVE-70.00-WAS-...
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Panasonic-Lumix-GF1-w/-14-45mm-+-EVF-_65575.html
For less than £200, mainly for creative fun
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Olympus-E-PMI-Body-in-purple--mint-and-boxed_6447...
http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/10/15/olympus-15-8-body-cap-lens
Quote: Lawbert - WEX are still doing the p7100 for £229 with the case.. which still tempts me haha. How are you finding it these days after a month of use?
The prices a month on for everything seem about the same,
Nikon p7100 - £229
I bought a P7100 for £230 but not from WEX, I can vouch for it Dan. It won't be around for ever so you may want to think about getting one before they all sell out.
JP
Thanks Paul for the effort gone in with links etc. The main thing that's putting me off about the E-PMI is the interchangable lenses (though the 15/8 is a great fun idea!), I worry the shape of it (despite the small body) will become cumbersome to carry around, as I said - I kind of want everything on the camera in one - no fussing about. Although I could just buy one lens for it, I think the shape of it will make it less practical for me.
John thanks for the encouragement and your input. It is probably the most likely choice for me atm, though if a x10 or g12 came down to the 250 mark it might make things more difficult.
Is the p7100 going to lack something that the others possess I wonder?
Quote: Is the p7100 going to lack something that the others possess I wonder?
Probably not Dan, to be honest, a lot comes down to personal preferences and cost, I find this a good resource for comparing, but it might just get you more confused
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/%28appareil1%29/740|0/%28brand%29/Fujifilm/%28appareil2%29/733|0/%28brand2%29/Nikon/%28appareil3%29/726|0/%28brand3%29/Olympus
Quote: Is the p7100 going to lack something that the others possess I wonder?
Maybe, maybe not. I can't advise you what you want or what the others have but procrastination may rule one or the other out all together and force you to make a decision...... 
Thanks both. I think the summary I got from that site was:
X10 has bigger sensor which helps performance
G12 can go down to ISO 50 which helps performance in tests
P7100 does well, and only scores worse really because physically smaller sensor, and lack of ISO 50.
The site makes reference to competition gets tough for the p7100 with the introduction of inter-changeable lens compacts, but I've already said the interchangeable lens camera's aren't really "compact" or "out the box usability" enough for me.
I do worry somewhat about the P7100 sensor not being the best, though I'm not sure what the "sports / low light ISO" score refers to on that site? I'd imagine the lower ISO the better (like with image quality), but it might perhaps be a "score", which means it's low light performance is the weakest. Would appreciate clarification on this.
Many thanks for your continued attention guys and girls
I think I'm going to settle on the p7100.
I do like that camera's like the x10 offer a bigger aperture at the telephoto end of the lens, but that comes at the trade-off of having a lens that is permanently sticking out an inch or so from the body. For me, this affects the portability of it quite a bit. The same reason why the Olympus EPMI isn't really an option for me.
So I will lack the low light performance when optically zoomed, as well as a larger sensor, but I think it'll still produce great photographs and matches my needs a little more so. I wan't a manually controllable camera, that is the least burden to carry with me and "worry about" getting damaged (knocking the lens, or how it's sitting in my rucksack etc).
Quote: Lawbert - WEX are still doing the p7100 for £229 with the case.. which still tempts me haha. How are you finding it these days after a month of use?
The prices a month on for everything seem about the same,
Nikon p7100 - £229
I bought a P7100 for £230 but not from WEX, I can vouch for it Dan. It won't be around for ever so you may want to think about getting one before they all sell out.
JP
Im relieved your pleased with the P7100 JP
Im more than happy with it Dan, Its a very capable camera and a bargain for the money IMHO, The case is very sturdy to which is another thing to consider if its going to be in a rucksack etc.
I would have probably gone with Pauls excellent advise an gone for the X10 and Ive learnt alot about smaller sensor sized cameras from Mr Morgans excellent knowledge and links
But budget was budget and Im in no way regretting the P7100 at all...In fact Im enjoying having a half tidy compact
KingBee, sorry that's not the sort of camera that met my needs. Thanks though.
Lawbert, yes I was looking for an x10 bargain, but really when it was almost 50% more expensive, and the less rawbust camera shape to just chuck in a bag or pocket, I just thought "stuff it, the p7100 will not be bad at all, and I've got my d7000 for the few shortcomings of the p7100. If prices were the same, and body shape wasn't an issue for me, I would have considered other options.
Quote: Come on Canon (and other manufacturers) another years warranty above the standard 1 is a great idea
Olympus have been doing this for years, I thought two years was standard in the EU.
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