So, the phone turned out to be a very good call. It's done well for the majority of what I need, the only thing lacking being a zoom. I'm taking a lot more pics lately, I'm out most weekends, and I'm finding more and more frequently I'm missing the zoom. I toyed with a few things but ended up taking the cheap option of an FZ82 with a 60x optical, how often I'll carry it is debatable but it gives me something to play with in Malta at the end of the month!
Anyway, I've only just started playing with it, so far I'm impressed both by the zoom and by how much my hands shake! A tripod is going to be essential for any trips I take it on, which is starting to add to the weight/bulk but should help a lot. One thing I ma looking at though is filters, I had no idea they still existed in this day and age but I ordered a cheap 4x close up and I can now get shots in focus at full zoom just 30cm from the lens. So I'm wondering what else is out there, and are they any use? I've ordered a CPL because until I got my latest glasses I'd never realised how much they reduce glare, again only a few quid and if it ends up being useful I'll get a better one. I've got my eye on a variable ND one for longer exposure daytime shots (waterfalls n stuff) but not sure I'll need it. One thing I am confused by is the UV filters, I though they were redundant in the days of digital?