I'm looking for a versatile point and shoot camera. Suggestions please. Thanks in advance?

Versatility in cameras is more or less zoom range. Landscapes are best shot with a wide angle lens, portraits with a normal/standard to short telephoto and animals with telephoto (if large and wild) or macro (if terribly small). The most zoom range in point-and-shoot cameras are the bridge type. If you find a camera with 24X or more then you're on the right track.

That would depend on your budget (range $50-$1000) and what you want to do with it. Would you do landscapes, portraits, family photos, sports? Is this a hobby or a one-off? I would suggest go to a site and search a bit:

http://www.traitmix.com/ChoosingACamera.html

http://www.dpreview.com/

After your addition: Sony RX100, Fuji X100S. Both outstanding cameras, but expensive.

I recommend one of the Canon Powershot range.

The SX 240 HS or the SX260 HS

Well built, takes good shots and has manual as well as full auto settings.

A friend asked me this same question, and this appears to be a good camera that's easy on your budget.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUQ4D3S/ref=oh...