Nikon finally is competing with canon's point and shoots cameras which have been better for years. Good to see! I wouldn't mind picking one up for the girlfriend or even my mom :)

NikoDoby said:
CMOS in a DSLR is NOT the same as CMOS in a point & shoot. Trust me I own CMOS point & shoots and the improvement in image quality is not there. Despite what you think it is a myth that CMOS is inherently better than CCD. It just seems that why because of the advances in DSLR sensors lately.

Okay, okay.

NikoDoby said:
Yes the D2X was a CMOS but it was still only APS-C in size. In fact I'm not sure but I think it's the "same"/updated sensor that was put into the D300.

My pops held a D2x, with probably a 24-70 or a 70-200, he was floored by it.

He hasn't held a modern SLR since his FM2, and the guy he met was a customer of his, a journalist of some kind.

(My dad's a mechanic by the way.)

He told him I use a D40, and the journalist was like cool, that's a good camera!

I'm so happy Nikon has such good quality throughout the range.

You do realize it's just a "Leica" lens in name only right? Panasonic still makes it. The Leica version is the D-Lux4.

The LX4 is rumored to have a back lit sensor and a better F2 lens.

so is the LX4 replacement slated to be substantially better? I'm indifferent to CMOS vs. CCD. . .hell, my D200 still uses a CCD and works just fine. . .some say CCD is actually better at lower ISO's. . . .

I kinda like the Leica lens on it though. . .I guess if a release is around the corner, I can sit pretty and wait. . .

Yes the D2X was a CMOS but it was still only APS-C in size. In fact I'm not sure but I think it's the "same"/updated sensor that was put into the D300.

I think the D2X was the first Nikon camera with a CMOS sensor. Niko is right when he says not to expect huge things just because a camera has switched from CCD to CMOS.

CMOS in a DSLR is NOT the same as CMOS in a point & shoot. Trust me I own CMOS point & shoots and the improvement in image quality is not there. Despite what you think it is a myth that CMOS is inherently better than CCD. It just seems that why because of the advances in DSLR sensors lately.

NikoDoby said:
I like the LX3 and the S90. The LX3 is being discountinued and it's replacement LX4 should be unveiled soon for PMA. Don't be fooled into thinking that CMOS in a point & shoot camera will give you vastly improved image quality. It won't.

What about the new Olympus E-PL1? The most affordable EVIL camera yet at $599.

Well in the D90 it did wonders, CMOS. I remain optimistic!

E-PL1? It loses all the control wheels! It looks cheaper! Why should I buy it, except for just the flash?

Man, I think Olympus is handling this badly. If anything, get the GF-1.

Maybe I should snap up a LX3 then...

I like the LX3 and the S90. The LX3 is being discountinued and it's replacement LX4 should be unveiled soon for PMA. Don't be fooled into thinking that CMOS in a point & shoot camera will give you vastly improved image quality. It won't.

What about the new Olympus E-PL1? The most affordable EVIL camera yet at $599.

I like the Lumix LX3 and the Canon S90, it's stupid that the Canon can't do HD video though.

The Canon S90 has a more flexible zoom range though, so I am leaning towards that one. Although I really like the Panasonic's styling, fast lens, HD video, etc. It's more well rounded.

I wouldn't worry too much, the Nikons probably won't perform amazingly, although they did switch to CMOS this time, so that should be interesting.

I like that little Lumix camera.

Honestly, I've always kind of hated the coolpix line. The picture quality is average, and they tend to emphasize style over ergonomics when it comes to the body itself. Looking at the S8000, I'm trying to figure out how I would shoot with it. I like having a bit of bezel to wrap my fingers around.

I also like the fact that the Lumix has a hot shoe. Not sure If I'd ever use it, but its nice to know its there. The reviews on Amazon are well above what you will see on any Coolpix.

so I have been looking to get a P&S for not only myself, but my mother (many of you remember how I got her a 85 3.5DX lens for XMas, well, apparently she wants a small camera to take out to dinner, etc). . .

understandable when you see the look on the waiters face when you hand him a D200 with a prime mounted (where do I look, how does this work, etc.)

SO, last night's announcement was enlightening, but I'm wondering what everyone thinks. . .
The S8000 sports the following at $299:
* The thinnest camera in its class
* Wide-angle 10x zoom, NIKKOR ED glass lens
* Macro shooting from as close as 1cm (0.4 in.)
* 14.2 effective megapixels for high-resolution images
* High performance optical lens shift VR image stabilization
* High ISO 3200 capability at any image size up to its maximum of 4320 x 3240 pixels
* New Enhanced Motion Detection*2 for sharp, steady results
* New advanced flash control for clear and beautiful flash shots
* 3-in., approx. 921k-dot TFT LCD with Clear Color Display
* New Creative Slider for applying effects onto images
* Movie shooting at HD 720p for high-definition images with stereo sound
* Smart Portrait System with Skin Softening
* Subject Tracking
* Scene Auto Selector provides quick, carefree picture-taking in a variety of situations
* Quick Retouch for the best balance of contrast and saturation
* USB charging via Charging AC Adapter EH-68P/EH-68P (AR) or PC

Whereas, for about $80 more, I have been seriously considering the Panasonic Lumix L3 (currently at $380 from abesofmaine.com) simply because
-has a leica quality lens
-24mm wide
-f/2.0
-has a module for DxO

Thoughts on the two? I have played with the Lumix L3 a bit. . .should I wait for the famed L4? Is it worth the wait? Consider the Nikon (which I know no one has used, but based on stats alone). . .

I couldn't get any info on how "quick" the S8000's lens is. . .