Alternative to G6 needed

[umfridus]

I'm looking for a camera to replace my Canon A75. Liked G6 in many ways (have coveted it for over half a year already), but today after checking with local retailers, I was told it has been discontinued and is no longer available. I understand the model can certainly still be found second-hand or at some online stores, but I don't feel like buying this way. So I need to look for an alternative, and need some advice from you guys.

What I want with the camera are most importantly excellent image quality and good performance (start-up speed, shutter lag, etc.). No compact, for sure, and preferably uses CF card as I've got a stack of these. I don't think I'm ready for a dSLR yet because of the price - getting a good set of lenses will break my bank - and bulk since I expect to carry the camera around quite a lot.

I have already considered other prosumer cameras which came out around and before G6 (e.g. Sony V3 and Canon Pro 1) and decided I don't like them as much, so I guess a newer model would be a better bet. I don't mind getting an ultrazoom but they tend to be weaker in the image quality aspect, and that bothers me. So any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Edit: Although rumors of a G6/Pro 1 replacement has been around for a long time, I'm not holding my breath. Thus unless no suitable alternative can be found, I've decided not to wait forever.

[zero]

Take a look at the upcoming Fuji S9000 (also known as S95000).

Here is what the camera looks like:

http://www.dcresource.com/news/newsitem.php?id=3106

Here are some sample photos from the camera:

http://fujifilm.jp/personal/digitalcamera/finepixs9000/portfolio.html

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/s9500/index.php?page=sample_images&lpage=/digital/cameras/range.php

Samsung Pro815 also seems like a good camera but it doesn't have any sample images.

[Geoff Chandler]

The first thing that springs to mind is the Olympus C-7070 which I looked at along with the G6. The G6 was only rejected by me because I really wanted a bit wider angle starting point. The C-7070 is wider but has a useful range.
Also - if you don't mind a more compact model - the Olympus C-7000/70 has a good write up and seems to produce great results.
Alternatively - going into ultra zoom territory - the S2 looks excellent. Also the Panasonic Z20. In a recent Head to Head battle the KM A-200 came out
on top against the Canon S1, Nikon 8800, Panasonic Z20 - so that's another possibility - the comminality there was the Anti shake systems.
I can only say I am really happy with my A-200 and have no doubt the quality is good enough. With any camera you choose you will need to experiment a bit to find your own favourite setup (contrast/sharpness etc).
I hope something in there sparks your imagination - but my first thoughts stands with the C-7070 as a suitable alternative.