What is a good point and shoot?

[John Saunders]

My cheapo point and shoot got stolen and so I need to get a new one.

I am torn between getting another cheapo or something a little nicer. When I go out with my family and friends I don't want to take my dslr but I also don't want to feel like I am taking "throw away" pictures like I did when I took out our cheapo luminx.

I am looking into these "nicer" point and shoot cameras.

Coolpix p6000 (doesn't seem to have as good reviews as the others)

Canon G11 (I am leaning towards this one, except for the smaller sensor size compared to the Panasonic)

Panasonic DMC-GF1 (I really like the large sensor but I don't think my wife will like the size with a zoom lens)

So if anyone has used any of these (or others I haven't looked at) and has any opinions or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I'm looking for a new point and shoot as well. I want one that will shoot RAW or will shoot in a format superior to JPEG, which doesn't leave me with too many options... Currently I own the Canon G9 and it SUCKS ASS. I bought a G11 last month and I returned it! Because it sucked almost as bad as the G9.

I'm still looking, but sadly, not finding anything truly better... :-(

[Liam Hall]

I bought my wife the Leica D-Lux 4 - it's about as good as it gets for a handbag cam. Shoots RAW too...

[Scott Webster]

Just went through this. Round up the usual suspects:
Panasonic LX-3
Canon S90
Panasonic GF-1
Olympus EP-2

You may want to check out the Samsung TL50/EX-1
http://www.photographyblog.com/revie...view/comments/

Of course we are only 2 months out from PhotoKina so if you're in no rush, wait.

I ended up with a used Leica Digilux 2 which had it's sensor replaced in March this year. Yep, a 2004 camera with 5.2 megapixels and ISO100. But I love it...

There are rumors of a micro 4/3" version of this camera coming...

Otherwise I was leaning towards the EP-2 only because of the superior EVF option over the GF-1.

[Leo Ticheli]

My favorite is the Canon G10 or the newer G11. A bit larger so maybe not your choice, but a fantastic little camera with very good manual control.

There's a review on Luminous Landscape; pro photographers could not discriminate between 13"x19" prints shot with the G10 and the $40,000.00 Hasselblad!

I'm never without mine.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo

[Subhadip Sen]

I can only speak for Canon S90, and it is a fantastic camera. It has the same sensor as the much bulkier G11. The images the camera delivers are incredible for its size.

[Vladimir Cassel]

I think the GF1 accepts the same firmware hack that was developed recently for the GH1, in case you want to shoot some video with it as well.

[sander kamp]

I have the GF1 and it is a very nice camera. A little bigger and heavier than a point and shoot but a lot lighter than a dslr, especially if you want to carry around different lenses.

Build quality it very good, speed is good, image quality is good in the lower iso's.

The downsides are that outside in the sun you can't see anything on the lcd screen and lenses tend to be expensive.

[Matthias Hutter]

It depends on your size constraints.
If size doesn't matter that much, but image quality is crucial, i'd get a large sensor compact with a pankake lens. Otherwise, Canons Powershot and Panasonic Lumix Series have been top notch up to now. I have a G9 and really like it, especially since its RAW is handled nicely in Lightroom 3. I'd have bought the new Sony large sensor compact if it had better controls and an allround pankake lens would be available.

Regards, Matt

[Anson Fogel]

I mirror Jeff's experience with the G9, 10 and 11 - SUCKS ASS. As a longtime canon shooter was very disappointed. My non-raw PowerShot however, kicks ass. But no raw.