Looking for an upgrade w/ more options than my little old point & shoot

[Henhouse]

I've been using an '06 model Sony cybershot for taking pictures of my garden, flowers, occasionally some of our gigs or other music shows. While my camera is very good in macro for flower close-ups, I can't take pictures of the garden in sunlight. I have to shoot at dawn or dusk, or a cloudy day . My exposure options are limited to maybe 6 or 7 settings, and none of them stop lighter-colored flowers from bleaching out in a landscape shot regardless of the settings or time of day. I'm also frustrated by colors not being accurate. Purples go blue, and reds just seem to strobe. While I mostly use Auto-mode, I'd like to have the ability to go manual and re-learn some of the skills I had years ago w/ a SLR. My cybershot only has a digital zoom and the results are so-so. Occasionally i'd like to try to get a shot of a bird up in a tree, so some zoom would be nice. One of the things I enjoy about my little camera is that I can just slip it in my pocket when I'm working in the garden. I realize I'll probably have to go up in size to satisfy my wish list, but I also appreciate being able to get into tight spaces that a smaller camera provides.
I've been looking online at Nikon P340, Canon G16, and Panasonic Lumix DMC, but am open to other suggestions. My budget is about $400.

 

[goodguy]

Yep looks like you have the camera I was about to suggest on your list already.
Canon G16 will fit the bill just fine, I own the G15 which is the former model and I can tell you this camera is fantastic, good in low light, gives you all the options a DSLR will. fast lens, can shoot in RAW.....etc

 

[Henhouse]

I've been looking online at Nikon P340, Canon G16, and Panasonic Lumix DMC, but am open to other suggestions. My budget is about $400.[/QUOTE]

That is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7k that I meant to write.

 

[Henhouse]

How is the Canon on color accuracy? I couldn't find one in town to actually look at. The other Canons that they had there did not fare to well against a color chart I brought with me.

 

[sashbar]

I would also consider Samsung NX 300, very good camera for the money.

 

[lambertpix]

I think this is a pretty good summary of "the usual suspects" in this category.

Enthusiast compact camera roundup: Digital Photography Review

I haven't used a G-series camera for a while, but I owned a G3 once long ago, and I didn't realize what a gem it was until I tried to upgrade. Nice little bit of kit.