New high quality camera advice

[Wingnut]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could give me a bit of advice about buying a new camera.

At the moment I'm using an Optio S4, but have gotten to the stage where I want to move on to a serious camera.

Basically what I'm after is a camera that will take good landscape shots and also, a bit more of a special requirement, mountain biking shots. So I guess I'll need something with a fast lens and preferably low noise at higher ISOs. I'm considering buying a Digital Rebel, but ideally I'd like something slightly smaller that I could fit in a backpack moreeasily.

So I'm open to all suggestions, but would like something with 6mp or more that produces sharp photos with good colour. I also would want the camera to have manual dials for changing focus and aperture (are there many non-DSLRs with this feature?). I also wouldn't want to spend more than I would have to to buy a digital rebel really.

Thanks,

Mark

[gibsonpd3620]

You might consider the Olympus C5060W. Would be very good for landscapes and does have manual controls.

[eric s]

The Nikon D70 might be smaller than the DRebel. I think it's slightly more expensive, but not much. It certainly fits you requirements.

I'm not up on fixed lens cameras, so I can't help you in that department.

Eric