Hi there,
To add to snake_b's list of top end compacts, I'd suggest you also look at the forthcoming Nikon P7100, (which is a refinement of the P7000 to fix the P7000's bugs). It has a zoom that goes out to 200mm (FOV equiv). Someone else also mentioned the recently announced Fuji X10 - there are no reviews as yet.
Personally, I have a G12 and am very happy with it but I accept it's limitations. (All compacts have the usual problem with CDAF - action shots are more difficult because the AF is much slower than you'll be used to with an SLR). If you buy a compact you'll also have to accept the additional limitation that you just can't get the shallow DOF that you can with an SLR. You can only approach it with the cameras with faster lenses or if you are in a situation where you can use a longer zoom length.
Another alternative is to consider a mirror-less camera like the Sony NEX series or Samsung NX series, plus appropriate adapter. The bodies are smaller than DSLRs but you won't save much weight if you add a zoom lens with any reach. They can remain fairly small if you keep to small primes only, but that of course means carrying the adapter and primes, so it's not an all-in-one pocketable solution. (If you visit the Sony forum you'll see that they're all more than happy with Sony's new NEX 5N with their latest 16.1 mpx sensor).
FWIW, I don't really think any of the suggested cameras are very pocketable. Jacket pocket may be, but probably in reality a small pouch. Pocketability seems to be a holy grail for some people, but I don't really know why anyone would want to put an expensive camera in a pocket anyway...... Mine seem to be filled with dust, lint, coins, keys, paper clips, collected shells, kids' muesli bars, etc, etc - all the absolute enemy of fine photographic equipment. Maybe their pockets are more pristine!
Cheers, Rod
