I have a tiny, tiny Panasonic FX01 that does great outdoors, and it's movie mode isn't half-bad. Effective 28mm is nice and wide, too. I'm sure Pany has an updated version out and about..
Matthttp://memoriesbymccarthy.com..
I am on the same "quest" as you. The G7 does give impressive results for a non DSLR but the A640 uses the same sensor and less aggressive NR. I am looking hard at it and the F31. The F31 is a little too aggressive in it's processing and for me is a toss up at ISO 400. If the settings were tweaked on the A640, one may be able to get better high ISO performance. hyping color and contrast does take it's toll by adding noise...
I have a Fuji E900..
About the same size as a Powershot, has RAW, reasonable compact and fairly good in low light. Uses AA's ( come with a recharger and two 2500's ). Full manual and a reasonable feature set. Less sensor noise than a G7. Cheap..
Worth a look..
StephenG.
Pentax K100DFuji S5200Fuji E900PCLinuxOS..
I too have a FX01 and it's great fun, but maybe you should look at the Panasonic LX2 (wich I also have) - 28mm, fully manual, RAW. Great build, wideangle sensor and LCD. No viewfinder though..
The only slight snag is the mediocre low light/high ISO performance noise-wise - but don't read too much into it, the reviews massively exaggerate this in my experience. Outdoors it's great. I use the LX2 a lot when my D200 is too big to use..
Alex.
Http://akiralx.smugmug.com/..
May consider Canon A710IS (7MP, 6x zoom with IS, OVF, Manual controls, AA Batt & good battery life). IQ is good. Much cheaper than G7, while you practically sacrifice few MPs only.P5000 is slow in focusing and shot-to-shot speed. Not worth..
USACanuck wrote:.
So, I've decided I'd like to have a P&S as an alternative to my DSLR.I do a lot of backpacking and hiking, and I would like somethinglighter and less bulky to accompany me on these trips..
A friend of mine has a Canon G7, and I like it a lot. The problem isthat the damn thing costs nearly as much as a DSLR! Is it reallyworth that much money?.
Then I found the Nikon P5000. It's smaller and cheaper (a lotcheaper) than the G7 and it's just about as easy to use as a DSLR.The downside is that I hear it is really slow. Slow focus, shutterlag, horrible burst rate. Would I still be happy with it?.
Anything else out there that can satisfy a DSLR user?.
'I reject your reality and substitute my own' -Adam Savage.
Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..
I have looked into this but it is an older camera and harder to find. I wonder if it will be replaced soon..
I am looking at the A640 but if Fuji announced an updated E900, that would also be on my short list...
USACanuck wrote:.
So, I've decided I'd like to have a P&S as an alternative to my DSLR.I do a lot of backpacking and hiking, and I would like somethinglighter and less bulky to accompany me on these trips..
A friend of mine has a Canon G7, and I like it a lot. The problem isthat the damn thing costs nearly as much as a DSLR! Is it reallyworth that much money?.
Then I found the Nikon P5000. It's smaller and cheaper (a lotcheaper) than the G7 and it's just about as easy to use as a DSLR.The downside is that I hear it is really slow. Slow focus, shutterlag, horrible burst rate. Would I still be happy with it?.
Anything else out there that can satisfy a DSLR user?.
'I reject your reality and substitute my own' -Adam Savage.
For me, I am thinking about buying a Canon S3, my S2 has taken over 12k & still going strong, but I'm going to give it away to someone who has a budding interest in photography..
25 years as a freelancer,(news,magazine, wedding photography) camera equip. over the years: Practica MLT, Canon A1, Minolta 9xi, 7xi, Dimage Z1,Fuji 5200,Canon S2,Pentax K100D,Olympus 380(see my Z1 shots athttp://www.photobucket.com ALBUM NAME: buckl the COMMUNITY album was done with the Z1, and most of the photos in the album:Other were w/the Z1)..