Having gotten thru the busy holiday photo taking season, I finally sent my X10 back for a new sensor/refurbished replacement/whatever to fix the white orb issue.
I debated selling it or going another route, but I really love the silly little thing. might pick up the X-series flash for a little more control over indoor lighting, automatic flash renders great skin tones but I find myself missing the manual control. only bummer is that it doesn't pivot.
The old DSLR used to intimidate the relatives, the X10 I can hand to anyone, and provided it is set up halfway properly, they get a serviceable capture. My SIL grabbed this one of my nephew and I in their dimly lit cave of a condo, EXR S/N mode, no flash.