So I wanted a P&S camera to help with this blog – I didn’t want to take my main camera gear everywhere I went. Her was my want list:

1. small and simple – fits in a shirt pocket
2. wide angle capability at least 28mm equivalent
3. relatively low cost
4. manual capabilities

1. Small and simple – for obvious reasons.

2. Wide angle – this was the toughest restriction – most P&S start at ~35mm. Wide angle is essential for how I like to shoot. Many cameras have add-on gizmos that will provide wider perspectives – this makes the camera more complicated than I wanted (see #1 above.)

3. Low cost – the camera is for simple web use. If I want a fancy camera I have fancy cameras! I’d rather spend the $ on other equipment.

4. Auto mode can handle many simple shots if you understand the shortfalls of auto functions (see Creative Fundamentals!) However there will be instances I want the creative control of manual settings.

I was not concerned with megapixels for this camera – it will be used almost solely for the web. Many new P&S cameras are offering 8 and 12 megapixels which are fantastic for semi large prints – not a big concern for this camera.

The verdict? A Nikon P50:

* Under $200
* 28mm equivalent
* manual control
* small, light, simple – no added gadgets
* 8 megapixels – plenty for my intended use

It was tough to find a camera that met all my needs – the sticky point was the wide angle capability. The Canon G7 kept coming up as a stellar performer but it has no immediate wide angle capability, more features than I needed at 2 and a half times the price of the one I bought.

A good resource for any digital camera gear is DPReview. Check their “buying guide” to help find the camera for you!

Thanks for looking,

H