Best Point & Shoot for Quality Photos?

I'm a blogger and I normally shoot with my Nikon D5000. I have found that sometimes carrying around a big dSLR/camera bag, etc can be a hassle depending on what is going on that day. I'm looking for a smaller (not necessarily point and shoot) camera that I can fit in my purse and travel with ease without compromising quality.
I got my dSLR in 2010, and it's been just as long since I've taken any photo classes, so I'm out of loop as far as what's new and a good buy.

Any recommendations? I've been looking around at the Canon Powershot, possibly the SX50, or the Nikon 1 cameras.

The PowerShot SX50 is an excellent option… It has an excellent zoom and stabilizer which are very important. You could also look into the Nikon COOLPIX L820, it has a shorter zoom than the Powershot, but it takes excellent photos in low light condition along with its very good video recording ability with full 1080 p resolution videos. It is also very comfortable to handle.

The Powershot is sold at amazon for $399 http://www.amazon.com/...009B0MZ1M/
While the Nikon Coolpix for more a lower price of $219 http://www.amazon.com/...00B7N9CWG/

Any of those, would be an excellent choice for you.

For quality alone, Sony RX1, which is a point&shoot, would beat some DSLRs because of its full-frame sensor. But it is expensive.
Sony RX100/ Olympus Stylus 1/ Canon G1 X are also very very good.
Canon SX50 is a good option if you want a big zoom camera (it has x50 zoom). Read more about such cameras here: http://www.traitmix.com/Blog/Which-Bridge-Camera-Should-I-Buy.html
Nikon 1 series specializes in action photos. Read about these here: http://www.traitmix.com/Blog/Best-cameras-for-fast-action-and-sports.html
Hope that helps.

There's a category of cameras called the Enthusiast compact camera. They are more expensive, but give performance for the dollar. Dpreview has a roundup of them.
http://www.dpreview.com/...ra-roundup

I personally own an ancestor of one of them. My Nikon P7000 preceded the P7800 by about three years. It shares the same sensor and focal lengths, but the P7800 has a one stop faster lens. I really like my P7000 so I can endorse the P7800.

Although, if I could afford it, I probably would get the Sony RX100 or its newer version the M II.