Some do, and you can get user developed "hacks" for some others (for example, a number of Canon models can use a program known as CHDK that allows them to shoot in raw)..

JimChttp://www.pbase.com/jcockfield..

This is a question that only the manufacturers can answer correctly. But if I must guess, it's because:.

1. Manufacturers try to move people away from high end point & shoot into DSLR. DSLR is much more profitable, because it generates higher revenue, larger profit margin, and more sales from lenses and accesories.

2. Manufacturers try to hide what the sensor can actually captures. Most cameras have very sophisticated noise reduction algorithms, which only works during JPEG conversion. People using RAW won't be able to get this benefit..

3. It costs money to update RAW conversion software.

4. Not all that many point & shoot users try RAW anyways. Most of the RAW users seem to be in this forum  So this won't hurt their sales..

And in case you didn't know, there's a firmware hack that can re-enable RAW mode for some Canon cameras. Go to the Canon Talk forum for details...

Regarding the original question I think it's simply that most users won't use RAW. Consumers want a perfect image straight out of the camera without fuss. The market reality is only a small minority of users want RAW in advanced P&S cameras..

Some cameras do support RAW. Have a look at the Fuji E900, the Fuji S-series cameras ( 5200, 6500, etc. ) and many Panasonic's. Canon and Sony seemed to have deserted RAW on P&S entirely. The raw hack for Canon's is unsupported and only works with older Digic II cameras, not newer Digic III ones. I'm waiting for Canon to close the door that allows those hacks in future models.



Most cameras have very sophisticated noise reduction algorithms, which onlyworks during JPEG conversion. People using RAW won't be able to get thisbenefit..

People using RAW don't think it's a benefit. .

On the contrary an advantage of RAW is that you can apply more sophisticated ( and effective ) noise reduction software to the result of post processing RAW images. In most cases in-camera noise reduction is quite drastic and not very sophisticated at all and you have no control over it..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

Sjgcit wrote:.

On the contrary an advantage of RAW is that you can apply moresophisticated ( and effective ) noise reduction software to theresult of post processing RAW images. In most cases in-camera noisereduction is quite drastic and not very sophisticated at all and youhave no control over it..

Plus, noise reduction software will keep improving. If you shoot in raw, you can reprocess cherished images with newer tools later if desired..

If you shoot jpeg, it's too late (the noise has already been processed out, and it may have processed out some of the detail you may want to keep, too...

Sjgcitm, I notice from your signature that you're using PCLinuxOS..

If you've got the latest digiKam 0.9.2 Final (and I don't know if Tex has it or not), it's got a check box and slider that's been added to the raw conversion options that lets it use the latest wavelet based noise reduction options that Dave Coffin included in dcraw.c..

It's a bit on the slow side if you use the newer wavelet noise reduction during raw conversion. But, you may want to check it out. If the digiKam version you have doesn't support this switch, you could use dcraw.c from command line to get it (although you may have to compile a newer version of dcraw.c, depending on what Tex has updated in his repositories for PCLinuxOS)..

JimChttp://www.pbase.com/jcockfield..

Thanks, for the input.

I use a dslr..but there are times I wish I had a smaller camera..but with apeture and shutter controls and camera raw..

That's a Fuji E900 you're describing. .

To be honest it can be a bit of a pain trying to shoot manual and RAW with a compact, but it's a handy option and I'd rather have RAW..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

I currently use LightZone ( which has a free Linux version ) to process RAW files, and NeatImage Pro for noise removal. You can do batch modes on both so it's a thirty second setup each and then off for a cup of tea, or whatever. Then maybe hand process anything that looks worth the effort ( = time ! )..

Thanks for the tip - might check it out, although it will have to be good to beat NeatImage..

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

What about a Ricoh GRD or GX100?.

They aren't oficially imported into the US, but are available in a couple of stores look in the Ricoh forum.Bertie..

Rc53 wrote:.

What about a Ricoh GRD or GX100?.

Expensive for what they are, and they're really not that much..

Rob.

Everyone, everywhere, has to do everything for a first time. There is no failure in failure, only in failing to learn...