SLR + Point & Shoot for backpacking
I'm thinking about getting a higher end point and shoot camera to use while hiking down the trail while backpacking. Here's my logic:
Typically have my XSi with my 10-22mm lens on as I walk down the trail. In my pack I usually have my 3lb Manfrotto tripod, a rather heavy 18-200mm lens and then the trimmings, extra battery, filters, etc. I'm thinking I wouldn't lose much by losing the 18-200, throwing the xsi with the wide lens in the pack and then just carry something like the new Canon S95 or SD4500 while walking down the trail. Easier to take pictures casually, less bulk, and despite the fact that I would be packing my XSi body in my pack it would actually lighten my load overall to get rid of that 18-200. And when I'm not hiking I still have my tripod, SLR and wide lens to walk around with and put more effort into taking some good photos.
Do any of you do anything like this? Do you think I'd be giving up a lot by going this route? Do you think it would be that bad to go with a point and shoot that doesn't shoot in raw? That's one of my biggest hangups, I love the things you can do with a raw image in post and would hate to lose that but the new S95, while having some awesome features lacks some others that the JPEG shooters have like 1080p video at 30fps (it has 720p at 24fps) and a good optical zoom 10x on the SD4500 for example.
Thoughts?