Thanks,
MP
What is your budget? Olympus makes the E-P1 Pen Digital, which looks
and feels like a pocketable P&S but is actually a very sophisticated
interchangeable lens camera that is in the same category as DSLRs
without the bulk. It is kind of, but not completely, analagous to a
rangefinder 35mm like a Leica as compared with a 35 SLR like a Nikon F.
But it costs about $800 street price with one kit lens. Other lenses
are more, the flash is more. But there is also an adapter that allows
you to use Olympus OM series lenses with it in manual mode.
--
Michael
Your requirements are pretty mild.
A lot of cameras will do what you want.
Look especially at Panasonic Lumix TZ4
Even smaller but not quite so versatile is the Canon SD 970.
Bob Williams
If a small-sensor camera is acceptable, I might look at the Panasonic
range, for example:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmczs3.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmczr1.asp
and there is a group test here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q209grouplongzoom/
I would go for this class of camera as I like telephoto as well as
wide-angle. I actually have the earlier TZ3, and been very pleased with
it:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3/
Cheers,
David
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicDMCLX3/
http://a.img-dpreview.com/gallery/panasoniclx3_samples/originals/p1010568_sj.jpg
I've had one for a few months now and it's near perfect... ;-)
Guy
I've had the Panasonic Lumix LX1 for about three years. Before that I
bought a newP&S every few months, trying to get one that was good
enough to keep. I suspect the later models are at least as good.
Landscapish photo from last month in West Texas:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4122868930_7cfd96b925_b.jpg
--
Frank ess
San Diego CA USA
Thank all for the suggestions up to now have taken note and will be looking
at them in more detail, I at least have a start point now while realising
there is probably many more that would be within my description.
MP
Most likely the image processing built into the camera. For higher-ISO
images from small-sensor cameras, a degree of noise reduction can be used.
How much? Panasonic do less processing and have a reputation for being
"noisy". Canon do more processing and you describe the images as "less
than sharp". Shots with the sun have higher contrast (shadows helping to
emphasis the detail), and that higher contrast survives the processing
better (it's likely non-linear processing).
If you don't want as much compromise, try a camera with a bigger sensor
(e.g. 4/3 or DSLR) and a quality lens. There is far less need to process
the images and hence less variation of quality.
Cheers,
David