Two inexpensive cameras or one to do the trick?

[luminaria]

I've been reading and researching cameras on this forum for several years and really appreciate all of the helpful information. I finally decided to join because I am at a loss at this point and haven't found an answer for what I'm looking for. I apologize if my question is redundant. I am trying to decide whether to buy two inexpensive cameras to cover my needs or if one will do the trick. Or perhaps I should wait until the new cameras come out in the spring since I have a camera that is adequate, but is really not the best except in getting cold or wet.
A friend has the ZS1 and had some great outdoor shots, but the indoor shots were not very good. The ZR1 looks promising, but some of the user reviews aren't as good as I would hope. I like the Panasonic's lens, but our TZ3 really didn't do well on capturing colors even in Vivid. I'm sure that they have improved since then.
I've thought about getting an inexpensive Fuji or something that can take better than average low light photos and ride around in my purse. However, I'm not sure what would be the best. I don't expect dSLR quality, but I've read that some take decent if not great low light photos. I don't care at all about video, so that's not an issue for me.
I also considered the S90, but I'm not sure that I want to spend that much since there is always something newer and better around the corner.
Anyway, thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions. I have read a lot of photo forums, and you folks are the best!

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Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible. $100 to $300

Size

* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you? Pocketable

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you? 10-14 mp

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify) 4x-10x

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) 9

Do you care for manual controls? No, we're getting a dSLR

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? Indoor parties and landscapes

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? Probably not

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Yes

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? Not unless a bear or moose is chasing me

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? I prefer SD cards, but will consider others

Are there particular models you already have in mind? Panasonic ZS1, ZR1, Canon SD780, Fuji FXR70, Fuji J38

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)

Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Viewfinder or good LCD (older eyes)

[luminaria]

Oops, I meant Fuji EXR70!

[KCook]

As you are planning on getting a DSLR anyways, an expensive Canon S90 seems questionable (but I am a cheap sod). The earlier Fuji F100fd and current F70EXR are about as good as you can do in low light without flash for a modest price. If flash is Ok, that really changes the picture, cameras like the Sony H20 can come into play. The samples for the newest Panasonics do look like stronger color than the older models. Fuji can give really strong color, unfortunately their lenses don't quite measure up to Panasonic. So I don't see any one camera that knocks out all the other choices. Small cameras are all about compromise.

mumbles

[luminaria]

Thank you for responding so quickly. I'm not opposed to getting a camera with a flash. I have read that the Panasonics' flash are not strong enough, but I sure do like the clarity of the Leica lens. I guess I was hoping that the ZR1 would have an improved ability to take low light photos, although I'm very aware that no point and shoot can take a great low light photo. I have even thought about a cheap Fuji like the J28 or J38 to just throw in my purse and then have a better camera for the great outdoors. The J28 has some good user reviews on Amazon, but I'm not sure if they are any better than a more expensive point and shoot when it comes to low light photos. Again, thank you for helping focus my search.

[KCook]

I haven't seen any "professional" reviews of the Fuji J38 yet. Did play with one in the store, seemed like a decent effort by Fuji to me. Simpler menus than my Fuji F45fd. As a rule all Fuji cameras are fearless about going to high ISO when in their Auto mode. Which can be all that makes the difference from other cameras which try to cling to low ISO. But as the price is low and the sensor is small I would not expect the IQ of the J38 to keep up with my F45fd, certainly not with the F100fd (see if you can find a used one) or the F70EXR. So I see the J38 as a handy utility camera, not a low light special. Under the $200 mark about the only low light assets you can ask for are a f/2.8 lens and some effort at NR at high ISO. Various models by Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Pentax, and Sony will meet that simple requirement. But all can falter in their auto focus in very dim light.

Mind you, I have absolutely NO objection to buying and owning a low price utility camera, that is how I use my trusty F45fd. Just don't expect miracles.

Kelly

[luminaria]

Thanks, Kelly. That was kind of what I thought might be the case. I really would like to get something that I can use for reasonably good indoor and outdoor photos while realizing that I won't get dSLR quality. Perhaps I should just wait and see what new digicams are announced starting in January. I can keep using the SX110 or the Stylus 1030SW until then. I sure wish that I could put together the great qualities of different brands into one digicam, but I guess a lot of us have that fantasy!