I'm with Tom i was stuck between the IS and the G9....I went with the G9 it the best non-DSLR out there....I wanted a SLR but the wife wouldn't know how to use it

I work with a guy who has the G9 and an Ikelite housing .. his dive pictures are spectacular!!! I'd totally look into that one if I was in the market.

I have a Nikon though. I looked at the D80 but in the end went with the D70s. Slightly older so got a wicked deal and it's definitely a lot of camera. And I get to reuse the glass from my old film SLR. Definitely a plus!

I shoot a Canon 30D on land and a Sony F717 with Ikelite case under water.
You should buy a DSLR for the lenses as you upgrade the body.:wink:
Sounds like your G9 is right for you I shot my Sony F717 for a long time and have some great pictures. It is classified as SLR like you just can't change the lens. The K10 has great reviews as it has the weather seals. The Sony 100 is not bad either, but it all comes back to the glass you put in front of it. When I chose my camera I liked the Canon best for the lens choices.
I shoot a EFS 17-55 for everyday and a 100 macro for close up.
You know what they say though its not the camera that takes the great pictures, but the guy taking the shot.:biggrin:
PS I like that Nikon 12 MP hand held it looks like a nice point and shoot.