I'm with Moosebunk on the Lumix Panasonic line. I have a similar camera to Bunk, and Rafal, too. It seems that we all believe that a larger lens will gather more light for a more detailed picture. This camera is not an SLR, but still has a 2 inch wide lens, and a 12 X zoom, and shake removal stuff. I also believe that beyond 10 MP, you are beyond your needs for resolution. Get a camera that you like to shoot, because that is the only way you will improve as a photographer.
Panasonic has Leica lenses, Sony has Zeiss, both are superb.
I've had this camera, the DMC FZ8, for almost 3 years, and I am still learning and improving as a photographer. When I stop learning is when I get a better one.
The Lumix has a proprietary battery (no AAs), but I got two when I bought the camera, and always have a fully charged spare. Each pack lasts for over 500 shots even using the lcd screen already. Memory is a 2 GB chip thingy, only, but I have a couple. This combination lets me shoot over 500 7 MP shots without a reload, and then another 500 after that.
The market for a pocket camera has been taken over by cell phones. Use your cell for a pocket loaded snapshot, but get something with a larger lens for better, more vivid pictures. Or just go deep and get a DSLR.