Living with a very nice film SLR, and a digital p&s, i decided to
investigate a serious ditial p&s as my travel camera: compact size,
28-200 range, manual control.

Frankly, I am disgusted that with so many companies flooding the market
with so many models that they must be running out of model numbers to
name them, they have all decided not to offer even a single model that
will appeal to a serious hobbyist like me!

The cameras with all the feature I want are way too big for the purpose
(Lumix FZ-18, oLympus 550 SZ). Cameras of manageable size make you
give up on some important featu Lumix TZ-3 (no manual control) and
LX2 (limited telephoto) are probably the best examples.

So, I'll have to decide which feature to give up: compact size (FZ-18),
manual control (tz-3), telephoto (lx-2 or Leica version). If it is
telephoto I decide to give up, then I'd also investigate the Ricoh
models that start at 24mm.

Or I could just wait until somebody offers the first p&s for me. Why
spend money and still be unhappy? It is not like I don't have any
cameras to take pictures right now.


What you want is difficult to find, and not just because camera
manufacturers are idiots who focus too much on gadgets & spec and not enough
on picture quality.

Because they're able to keep adding & enhancing features on P&S cameras,
it's tempting to believe they can do anything. But the physical limitations
of the small sensor size, *especially* for wide-angle, become the deal
breaker. You & I are spoiled rotten, both of us by our SLRs (you by your
film, me by my Canon 350XT). And we want those same features & quality in a
P&S. And why not?

Because it's darned near impossible to design a wide-angle wide-range zoom
lens for a camera with a tiny sensor that doesn't display quite a bit of
chromatic aberration at the wide end. Even at 35mm it's a problem (about the
only real issue with my Fuji F10 & F30). Thus a severe limitation on picture
quality that can't be overcome with all manner of added features (image
stabilization, raw shooting, manual modes, etc).

My perfect camera would have all the features you want, with slight
modification. I don't need the super-long lens (100-150 at the long end
would be fine) but I'd love to have a 24 at the bottom... but would settle
for a 28. The wide range would be great because I take photos while riding
my bike, and can't take a whole lot of time setting up my shots. Raw mode
would be nice, because you've got more to deal with when correcting exposure
issues. A decent manual mode would be nice, and I'd *love* to have a manual
or fixed-focus option (because, when taking photos while riding, nearly
everything of interest is going to be 20+ feet away). Also long battery life
(the Fuji F30 excels there!) is a must. And I'd be willing to pay extra $$$
for a great lens!!! The lens is absolutely the weakest link in the Fuji F30.
One last thing would be reasonable moisture protection.

So I want it all too! But for top-quality photos, I'm going to have to stick
with my Rebel 350XT. Not because it has better electronics and shooting
modes, but because I can hang a wonderful piece of glass on it.

Sigh. If I'm wrong, and you find that perfect camera, please let me know. I
want it too!

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com