As above, I'm looking for cameras in that category and i don't want the bulk of prosumers (lenses that stick out). So, something like the Canon A640. I'd like to know cameras from other brands that fit into this category which doesn't seem to have too many choices.

no other brand.. u only got another model from same brand... ahahahahah. Canon SX100is.. and make it the BLACK one.. whee~

Nikon P5100 (RM1200) or Canon G9 (RM1800). That's just for the camera though. Price may vary.

... wait you want lens that won't stick out ? These 2 camera lenses stick out only when it's on. D:

At least state your budget so that we can recommend you the best you can get out of your budget rather than giving you a whole list of expensive P&S.

My vote goes to Canon Powershot G9.

The reason i didn't state a budget is to have a wider array of choices. Of course, that doesn't mean i have an unlimited budget. I'd say anything under MYR 2000. I need a versatile camera where i can play around with the manual controls without the bulk of DSLRs/ similar prosumers.

Canon G9

Under 2K, yeah just go for G9 then. It's a bit bulkier than the P5100 though but still pocketable anyway.

I'd say sx100 coz of the Canon brand, good IQ plus 10X zoom.

i wud haf recommend the G9 s well, but I'm soo0o0o0o0o0o0o into powerzoom... anything less than 10x optical is simply insufficient for me, hence, sx100is... G9 is awesome s well... alalalal..

Pentax A10

Zoom is not really a priority, I'd prefer wide angle over that. Panasonic lx2 comes to mind but only 28mm in 16:9 ratio...

28mm in compact is definitely not wide enough. u need less than 10mm for a decent wide angle of view on a compact.

how about Canon SD870 IS?

You want a wide angle with manual control... not much choice there as Nikon P50 is all I know that comes with those features. iXUS860 is is auto. Or you could buy G9 and then buy a wide converter for it. Canon's A570 or A720 also has with wide converter attachment and full manual control.

I was about to get the canon s80. Too bad canon did not update on this line of cameras Thank you for alerting me about nikon p50, but there are not many reviews on it and i heard the manual controls are quite skimpy. I'd like to see the IQ before deciding.

You could see p50's IQ in dpreview forums or flickr. As for S80, guess you'll have to wait for people to sell them as 2nd hand. If I would want a wide angle with PASM, I would go with Canon A570is and ad another rm500 for wide converter or a little more expensive A720is. What I've check a wide converter is RM500 while a tele converter is around rm1000++. That's why I think getting a SX100 with 310 mm max focal lengths is a good bargain at its price seeing how expensive a tele converter is. As for wide angle, I'll have to stitch the pics for panoramic view to compensate for the lack of angles for the current being. Just my 2 sens.