I was on the point of selling my Panasonic FZ7, but having taken a little time to get the measure of its foibles, I am prepared to recommend it as a lightweight back up and not too bad in the best parts of its range against many (though look at my more recent pics on WPF and judge for yourself). I am now using almost entirely manual settings, though if speed is essential, left in AP, can add ±EV and or auto bracket very quickly. Only it is a flea weight and I think I have seen you say you like something that is a handful

Priorities:

* Macro capability for bugs and wildflowers. Not true macro, but can get within 15mm with cheap but effective close up ring.
* Wider the better. 36 in camera, but again cheap .42 converter quite good.
* Fast shutter response . Yes, a new world after changing from E4500.
* Fast start-up from sleep state. Ditto
* Prefer proper CF, not those SD things even for 200-300 6MP pics on £20 of SD card?
* Something around 5MP to at most 8 seems sensible.6MP
* Clean higher ISOs? Its weak point, a bit of PS often needed
* Image quality that isn't going to make me wind up never using it because the 20Ds are so much beter. Look at my more recent pics on WPF
* Waterproof? A bonus, not essential. Don't know
* Fully swivelling screen. No, but the eyepiece viewfinder (with dioptre adjustment) is a complete analog of the LCD, so fine whatever the light and I actually like to shoot that way. The LCD also has a high angle boost equally good upside down for u/s of flowers, one point where I slightly miss E4500
* AA batteries would save me having yet another charger, it can share with my GPS and a few other things. No, but the battery supplied is good for 500-600 shots in normal use, 100± of which after 1st warning icon