I need some help with P&S decision...

[stitchbug]

I currently have a 50D, and really need a P&S whn I don't want to lug around my DSLR.
I'd prefer something that has manual controls.
I'd like to spend less than $200, but I'm flexible. I would rather spend a bit more and get quality, rather than something that won't last a month. =)
I've been a Canon gal for over 10 years, but I'm ok with trying something new!

[stitchbug]

Also, are there any P&S that shoot raw and/or do well at ISO over 200?

[inkista]

It's pricey ($430), but have you looked at the Canon S90? The G11 is all-the-bells-and-whistles, but if you don't need the flash hotshoe or flip-out screen, it's got a faster (f/2 at the 28mm-equiv wide end), slightly shorter lens, PSAM modes, and a lot less bulk. It does RAW without the CHDK, and from the dpreview samples, has a usable iso 1600.

Plus, that control dial is just cool.

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by stitchbug

I'd prefer something that has manual controls.

Manual controls on a digicam are generally pretty useless. Most digicams have extremely limited aperture range (1 to 2 stops, with even the widest aperture having high depth of field and significant diffraction) and extremely limited useful ISO range (usually ISO 100-200, before the noise becomes problematic). Exposure control on a digicam is primarily done with shutter speed.

I would rather spend a bit more and get quality, rather than something that won't last a month. =)

Well, there's durability and there's image quality. If you want durability, take a look at Olympus's water-proof, drop-resilient, crush-resistant, freeze-resistant Tough line. On the other hand, Oly's digicams arguably have the worst image quality this side of cell phones.

I have the Oly 1030SW (the non-IS predecessor of the Tough 8000), and I love it because it slips into my pants pocket and I can take it anywhere without worrying about the camera. I took it to the beach and out kayaking a couple of weeks ago, then rinsed it in the sink when I got back and it was shiny clean and ready for more. But the image quality is nothing to write home about.

If you don't need to deal with hazardous environments, just about any digicam will last for years. Probably longer than you'll want to use it, because newer models will call to you. Canon and Panasonic are probably the overall tech leaders right now, but the other manufacturers have their niches.

In any event, be aware that a digicam is simply not a substitute for your DSLR. If it was, DSLR sales would be a lot lower. A digicam is a device for capturing memories to be printed at 4x6, maybe 5x7, or—for photos taken in broad daylight of relatively stationary subjects—even 8x10. They work great for that.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by inkista

It's pricey ($430), but have you looked at the Canon S90? The G11 is all-the-bells-and-whistles, but if you don't need the flash hotshoe or flip-out screen, it's got a faster (f/2 at the 28mm-equiv wide end), slightly shorter lens, PSAM modes, and a lot less bulk. It does RAW without the CHDK, and from the dpreview samples, has a usable iso 1600.

Plus, that control dial is just cool.

At double the budget, it's an outlier, but it's a VERY VERY VERY NICE outlier

[stitchbug]

I haven't had a point & shoot in sooo long! I'll look those up...thanks!
Image quality is more important to me than durability. I'm careful enough that I don't worry *too* much about breaking a camera!

[inkista]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

At double the budget, it's an outlier, but it's a VERY VERY VERY NICE outlier

Given that the OP stated high iso performance and RAW as desired features, and a willingness to pay for quality (plus being a mid-tier dSLR owner which presupposes a certain level of desired quality and loose change), I figured upping the budget was a long shot worth trying. If the initial budget had been in the $500 range, the G11 and µ4/3 cameras would have been my pointers... I like spending other peoples' money.

Closer to the budget, but still busting it handily would be the Fujifilm F200EXR ($300). The pixel-binning tech lets you choose between resolution and noise performance, and there's in-camera two-shot HDR, which is just cool. No RAW, though. But usable iso 800.

[stitchbug]

Originally Posted by inkista

Given that the OP stated high iso performance and RAW as desired features, and a willingness to pay for quality (plus being a mid-tier dSLR owner which presupposes a certain level of desired quality and loose change), I figured upping the budget was a long shot worth trying. If the initial budget had been in the $500 range, the G11 and µ4/3 cameras would have been my pointers... I like spending other peoples' money.

LOL.
Not so much loose change as I'd like
But no worries, when I win the lottery.........

I did read something about P&S's writing RAW very slowly. Something about having to wait a while between shots. Is it even worth it?

I was looking at the G11, but, I jus tdon't think I want to spend that much (on a P&S) when I already have nice equipment, you know?
$400 is ok... (it can be my anniversary *and* Christmas present!)

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Doug Pardee

Manual controls on a digicam are generally pretty useless.

I beg to differ. I think they're just mostly useless. But in certain specific situations can be of great importance. Like if you're trying to precisely control slow shutter speeds to get a specific amount of motion blur. Having a choice between portrait/sports mode is not gonna help you out, here. And exposure compensation only goes so far when you're night shooting.

Once you're used to having full manual and thinking about exposure that way, it's just nice to have the control, even on a point and shoot. It's not always about depth of field. And the iso range is steadily improving in the smaller cameras.

In any event, be aware that a digicam is simply not a substitute for your DSLR.

I don't know. Sometimes (if you're within the P&S limits), it really is; and in some rare cases (e.g., street shooting) it can be an improvement. These days, P&S cameras can actually give far better quality than some folks assume. Within certain limited conditions, a P&S camera can rival medium format digital. The key is those limitations. But I've done a fair number of shots with my G9 that I'm happy to put next to my SLR shots.A P&S camera doesn't suddenly rob you of your sense of composition, or your ability to post-process, and the resolution of the data is now exceeding what we had with dSLRs just five years ago. My G9 at 12MP outresolved my 8MP XT.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by stitchbug

I did read something about P&S's writing RAW very slowly. Something about having to wait a while between shots. Is it even worth it?

Most P&S cameras don't do burst. 1-2fps is the norm. Responsiveness is not a noted hallmark with P&S cameras, mostly because of live view requiring the sensor to clear the existing charge (from sending the data to the LCD in liveview) before each exposure.

And, if you're willing to give up all the niceties (hard to do as a dSLR shooter) and just have a regular daytime snapshot P&S camera, you can easily find something in a lower price range. I actually think that right now the sweet value spot in the Canon P&S lineup is the $250 SX120IS bridge camera. It's chunky, but it has the PSAM modes and a wide zoom range. No RAW, no high iso performance, though.