The one sad thing about the digital P&S market is there is no
replacement for a Yashica T4 or Oly XA.
There is and there isn't. The problem is that small, high resolution
sensors are not particularly sensitive and responsiveness suffers due
to relatively slow hardware. However, given the constraints, some of
the recent pocketable size digicams can do nearly as well as those
film cameras.
I'd love a pocketable P&S with a moderately fast wide-angle (24-28
equivalent) prime.
If it had decent ISO 200 and 400 performance I suspect it would
find its way into many serious shooter's hands even without a
whole lot fo resolution (5MP would be fine) and no zoom.
Especially if it was as responsive as the XA or T4.
The Ricoh GR1-Digital and Panasonic DMC-LX1 are both pretty good in
this regard. I had the LX1 for several months and found it to be a
good performer. Both save RAW format. Despite the nonsense I read on
the web about noise noise noise, the Panasonic at ISO 100-200
produces pretty darn nice photographs (made excellent prints up to
11x17" in size) and is remarkably responsive. Although it has a zoom
lens, I shot with it mostly at the 28mm setting anyway. The Ricoh
doesn't have the image stabilization feature and isn't as responsive
by all reports.
Some LX1 examples, ISO 200 & RAW format capture, are at:
http://homepage.mac.com/godders/frankie-10bday/
http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW5/47.htm
http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW5/48.htm
There's also the Fuji F10/F11 cameras which supposedly has better
noise performance but are more "point and shoot" with fewer user
controls.
Like all the automated compact cameras I've owned, regardless of
whether they were film or digital capture, I ultimately find them too
limiting due to responsiveness constraints of shutter lag and
exposure systems, and the controls are awkward due to poor
ergonomics. My personal favorite pocket sized compact cameras have
been the Rollei 35S, Minox 35GT-E and several of the Minox
subminiatures, as they leave me in control, are as responsive as any
SLR, and don't get in the way of taking photographs.
Godfrey
