There are so many cameras available, I can only say what works for me. I bought a Nikon 4500 quite a few years ago, cost about £500, I recently bought another (cost about £170) in case the first one ever packs up. I find so many people that are serious about using a camera with a scope or as a macro camera or on a microscope use the same (
Chris Packham)
and it is very carryable and it has been dropped and it lives somewhere in my outdoor clothing...it is such a notebook.
I found some very small spiders recently under a rock, copulating (it was the summer) but still capable of a fair turn of speed. Quick click with the camera, zoom in to the preview and it is like a field lens with a freeze capability.
The camera you have with you will always be better than the camera left at home. This is a very personal view