Fred, I have two cameras, for that very reason. One is compact and fits in my jeans pocket, the other looks and feels more like a "real" camera. Both of them have been replaced with newer models, but they work fine and I see no reason to change. They're both upgrades to my 2 previous digital cameras.
For me, it's Panasonic all the way, although when it's time to replace these 2 I might have to open the field, because I'm not liking the newer Panasonics that I've seen. But my original Panasonics are still going strong (in someone else's home) seven years after purchase. My current ones are 3+ years old now, and still do everything I want/need.
Someday I might invest in a dSLR, but for now, these fit the bill for me, and I don't have to worry about extra lenses/addiitonal weight, etc.
