P&S: What do the pro's carry?

[Liz]

Hi. I need to replace my old P&S camera. There are so many choices out there, and I'm sure they've improved since I last bought one 4 years ago. This will be something that I use off the clock, just for going out with friends & family, or to have with me on those occasions when I don't feeling like dragging along my D200 and lenses.

I thought I'd ask any professional photographers on this forum which brands and models of shirt-pocket sized P&S cameras you've tried and are happy with.

Features that interest me the most are: quality optics, good image quality (at least 8MP), good optical zoom (don't care about digital zoom), wide ISO range, and a shutter that fires right when you hit the button (if such a camera exists....the ones I've used all have an annoying delay before firing).

Thanks for your time.

GW

My only experience with a p&s is with the Canon G cameras. Excellent cameras as others have stated; however - they are a bit big for pockets. I have the E-P1 now - larger than the Canons. I still have the LX3 which is another wonderful p&s. The lens protrudes somewhat which makes it a bit larger than the compacts. The p&s cameras that Photo John mentioned are fine cameras that would probably be closer to what you're looking for in a compact.

Good luck - and keep us updated.

Liz

[Liz]

I thought you might be interested - just got an email from Amazon for a special sale on the Canon SD 890 IS........I never tried it, but it looks like it has good reviews. Amazon has over 100 user reviews on the camera.

fyi

http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/ref...290_pe_gb_skin

Liz

[gregorywallace]

Thanks, everyone. So far, seems to be a toss up between the Canon SX200 IS and the Panasonic Lumix ZS3. I like the zoom range on these two. Reviews differ as to which has the better image quality. The Canon is $70 cheaper. Hmmmmm......