Good Camera for travelling round the world

Secondly, the Olympus SZ31mr is not a great camera

That's your entitled opinion
I looked around for weeks - and found nothing that came close to all it's features and quality for more wedge.
The likes of Panasonic and Canon didn't even get a look in.

this might help show a better comparison:

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=panasonic_dmclx7&products=oly_sz31mr&products=canon_sx260hs&products=panasonic_dmczs20

One other perk of the Olympus SZ... the ability to use an EyeFi card... I know alot of travelers always wonder about what to do with making sure their pics don't get lost before they make it home.

battybilly doesn't understand he concept of sensor size. That's why he always keeps on harping on about his caer being 'better', even when comparing to one with a larger sensor, simply because it has more 'features' (whatever they may be)

Oh dear.
But why take my word for it indeed. See what the gurus say.
MTL - if you read more facts.... You learn more facts.
What is a caer, by the way?
If you believe I bought this because I think it's the best, then again you're not reading the comments.
That really points your assumptions in the wrong direction.

caer= camera, sorry for the typo.

Anybody who is about to take some advice from you should check your posting history first, batty. That should clarify everything.

Thanks MTL, for your usual derisory words and thread wrecking content.

battybilly doesn't understand he concept of sensor size

So for the benefit of all of us, why don't you explain it - and also why the SZ31mr is no good?
We'd all like to read your never ending expert advice.
You really do have such a bad attitude.
Always ready to pull others down, but no substance in return when you're asked to back-up your claims.
You appear to get some kick out of spoiling it for everyone else, but can't you see how low that is?....
Obviously not.

Sensor size is the size of the chip that captures the light. Generally speaking, the bigger the sensor = better picture quality.

The LX7 has a better sensor, whilst the other 3 have the same size sensor.

Now, the other things that makes the LX7 a FAR better camera include:

• Faster lens (f/1.4-2.3). This means the lens lets in far, far more light, so it will be better in low light. Also allows it to blur the background more (for portraits), and also achieve faster shutter speeds.
• Full Manual Controls Including fully Manual and Semi-Manual modes (Shutter and Aperture Priority). In fact, the Canon and Panasonic also have this. Only the Olympus doesn't.
• Ability to shoot in RAW This allows you to save a completely UNCOMPRESSED image with no adjustments by the camera. RAW files keep more detail/resolution, as well as more light detail (so you can bring down an accidentally overexposed photo, for example), and a bigger range of colours, etc. The SZ31, sx260hs and TZ30 all lack this feature, only having the ability to shoot in JPEG - a compressed format.
• Optical Image Stabaliser Firstly, this will stabalise your images better than sensor-shift stabalising will. Secondly, optical image stabalisation builds up less heat than sensor-shift, which is also handy since more heat = more noise in your images. Both Panasonics and the Canon have optical stabalisation. Only the Olympus has sensor-shift stabalisation.
• Ability to shoot in 3:2 Aspect Ration This is the standard aspect ratio used by many standard print sizes (e.g. 6x4", 8x12" (A4), 12x18, etc). This means you can compose your image knowing that everything in your shot will fit on your print. Maybe not such an issue if you're mostly showing your photos online/on the computer. Both Panasonics and the Canon can shoot in 3:2. The Olympus can't. On top of that, the LX7 can also shoot in 3:2 without losing any resolution (since it extends the active horizontal imaging area).
• Better Battery Life The LX7 gets about 330 shots per charge. The Panasonic TZ30 gets 260, the Canon sx260hs gets 230 whilst the Olympus gets 200. LX7 = 65% better battery life than the Olympus.
• More Direct Buttons for Manual Controls This gives you quick access to change your settings, etc. Not an issue on the Olympus since it doesn't even have manual controls!
• Optional Electronic Viewfinder Using a viewfinder provides a few benefits, most importantly allowing you to completely mitigate the issue of bright reflections on your screen. Also, by holding the camera up to your eye, you get an even sturdier image, as it steadies the shake a little bit.
• Hot Shoe This allows you to use a more powerful, external flash.

Benefits of the Olympus SZ31:
- Biggest Zoom 24x zoom is more than any of the others we are comparing.
- Touch Screen Some people think this is a benefit. I don't, but I put it in here anyway.
- Lighter than the LX7 By about 62g.

Willitts1989 - if you haven't got one yet, the zoom on the Olympus, whilst powerful, is not essential. You'll miss a few shots perhaps, but I'm travelling with two DSLRs and a 4/3rds point and shoot that has a fixed lens of 35mm equivalent on full frame. I use a fixed prime lens on one of my DSLRs most of the time, and that's my walk around/night set. I used foot power zoom to frame my shots rather than standing up and staying still: makes for more interesting images.

Zoom is great, but if you use your feet and imagination, big zoom is unnecessary for the sacrifices you have with it. For $100 more the LX7 will give you superior images. That 24x zoom only exists for small sensor camera's, and there's more you miss out on because of it, it's a great all rounder pocket camera but the LX7 stands above it once you get past the zoom. I'm not trying to bash the SZ31, it's a fine camera that will be preferable to many - that's why they sell well. It's down to preference, hence why there's hundred to choose from! I'm just giving you my preferences...

Sensor size makes a huge difference once you get past the small sensors of standard point and shoots. You won't use the full features of the LX7 at first, but at least if you want to move further into creative control of your images, you have that option - shooting manual modes (either fully or aperture priority/shutter speed priority - I use that for panning shots of moving things), shooting RAW for example is a huge step up from JPG, and you have the ability to post process your own final images rather than rely on the camera to guess it. LX7 gives you control, the SZ31 is ideal if you just want an image and not have to think about anything but framing. The aperture and sensor size on the LX7 means you will be able to use it at night time for superior results with less 'noise' (lower iso). Cleaner images. The sensor size means, as I mentioned before, you can get subject isolation and background defocus. That alone will give you better images as small sensor point and shoot cameras produce fairly flat looking images when subject isolation would be better - portraits for one.

Good luck. Controversial subject!

Good reviews of The LX7. Nice 1. I don't see it as a controversial subject.
It's what people prefer and are happy with, that's all.
Nobody here is claiming The LX7 is not a better camera, are they?
However as with all of them, the preview gurus have bashed it for some of it's features and performance.
They claim there there are a few cheaper models, that perform better in certain areas.
You're never going to find a camera that's perfect in every aspect.
I compared the 31 with others in it's class, not with something that hadn't been released, costing £150 more.
How can I compare the 31 with the LX7 when it wasn't for sale when I bought it?
That's like saying "My car's better than yours, although I haven't tried it yet?".... A pointless excercise.
Regulars here are aware that I change my camera(s) every 6 months or so.
I've had the 31 for about that time now.
Indeed if I find something better for the price, I'll sell it and buy the new one. That simple.
Anyone who's interested in the subject of tech, knows that any camera is outdated in a matter of weeks.
For sure, both the 31 and The LX7 are no exceptions to the rule.
Honestly, for nearly £400 compared to the 31's £230, everyone would expect the LX7 to better, including me.

Okay, firstly, we aren't talking about YOUR purchase, we're talking about what the OP should buy.

Secondly, in the category, I would argue that something like the Canon sx260hs is the better choice. Even when you bought it.

You said:

+"I looked around for weeks - and found nothing that came close to all it's features and quality for more wedge.
The likes of Panasonic and Canon didn't even get a look in. "+

But what features does the Olympus have that the Panasonic/Canon don't?

Touchscreen? Panasonic has that.
Sweep Panorama mode? Panasonic has that.
Big zoom? Okay, 24x instead of 20x, but there's hardly any difference there.

Seriously, I can not think of one benefit of the Olympus over the Panasonic or the Canon.

I think, if you looked at it objectively to see which was better in the category, then you took your own advice, you would sell the Olympus and buy the Canon.