Still Nikon Needs a S95 type P&S... I cannot stress how important separate controls on any camera for aperture and SS are to manual shooting purists...

Also the s95 shoots like a canon... Why do the Nikon P&s's not shoot like the Nikon Dslrs... At least the p6000 was sorta similar in ergonomics...

I understand your view, as I once held it as well. I used to think that P&S cameras were useless, but then again I hadn't used one for three years before buying the P7000 in September. Sure I'd rather take the photo with my D300 or D40X, but there are times when doing so is totally impractical.

Modern P&S cameras (like the P7000, G11/12, S90/95) have the ISO performance of DSLRs from three years ago, just as modern APS-C sensor DSLRs are catching up to the current bunch of last gen technology full frame bodies. Sure P&S cameras are boring from a technical standpoint, nothing revolutionary, but so what? We are out to be photographers (light writers) not tech nerds, and as Chase Jarvis says, the best camera is the one you have with you.

@PM PB: I know many who bought P&S and were greatly disappointed. Another factor is that in slideshows every P&S I know displays some very bad habits. Depends on how you view the photographic results but the thought of buying a Nikon D3100 DSLR rather than a P&S might be very well taken. Consider the price tag of a P7000 I would say that although it is pretty good, in my judgement it is not good enough. I tend to think of the Canon G11 to be pretty good but if one of these posters like Cheri7 compared the results from any of these P&S cameras I am sure she would be dismayed at the quality compared to the D90 Nikon she has now. I have seen her results from the D90 on the big screen and for an amateur some images are exceptional. I also come back to the collective wisdom of NR about Coolpix type introductions.....pretty boring. It is NOT because our type doesn't want small cameras capable of producing stellar results. So this is not a laugh out loud situation but a serious question of the current shortfalls of smaller sensors and P&S cameras. I also know some people are pretty careful before they spend their money on a camera and would like to be steered in the right direction when they ask a question. I often think maybe I 'd be better off to just go observe if I don't intend to make a serious attempt to take photos.

Well, I now have a P7000, and I must admit that it's a fantastic camera. OK, it requires some self training to use it fully, but when finely adjusted, it gives outstanding results. I'm still studying its 240 pages manual (!), but I can say that I love it !
Here's my first impression:

Pros: Good Nikon feel, great sharp lens, direct access to many settings, great exposure, 3 personalized settings (I have adjusted mine as follows: U1: Portraits, U2: Landscape, U3: P&S for street photography), no or very low noise up to 1600 ISO, fantastic exposures using external flash (from SB400 to SB900), fixed focal lengths can be obtained directly with the "func" button, many different formats can be selected including square, great VR (sometimes better than my D300 and VR lenses), and - YES !!! - an optical viewfinder (I know it's only 80% but they all are, and it's easy to get used to it) !

Cons: Screen hard to see in direct sunlight, AF sometimes has problems when using 200mm with a very low contrast subject (but it does lock-on on second attempt when it happens), fixed screen.

Note that a 21mm optical converter can be purchased. It requires an adaptor ring UR-E22 which makes it useable over the entire focal range (But the ring does not accept filters - I think one can make an intermediate ring to fit filters though, but I cannot say for sure since I don't have this ring).

I'm a serous die hard Nikon fan, but when I looked at inexpensive P&S cameras I got a Panasonic ZS5. for $200 you can't go wrong. the only negative is the funky USB plug they use. I thought it has the best ratings, high quality image, and long zoom range.

Jeezzz guys P&S!

PB PM has it but I would add a couple.
Canon: S90/S95 - G11/G12 - SD4500
Nikon: P7000 - S8100
Panasonic: DMC-LX5/DMC-LX4 - ZS7/ TZ10

- I have the G11 and I love most things about it but the size but that was the choice I made when I purchased it. I have used the S90, LX4 and the S8100, and they all are great little pocket cams. Nikon's S8100 is wicked fast but the Panasonic and Canon's are better at low light. These are the best one's out there.

To me, true P&S cams (really small, Bar-fly cam) are basically disposable cameras that I have issues paying more than $150 for. Honestly my "mini" pocket cam is a Panasonic that is 4 years old, 7mp and works good enough for bar shots that I Don't expect anything from but memories. Bought it for $100 and I'm not worried about loosing, dropping, or kicking it. If you are looking for something cheap, almost any 2-3yr old canon or Panasonic are great and usually cheap.

Lumix LX5 or Canon S95. . .don't waste your money on Nikon POS (I mean P&S, lol!)

Funny you should say that, I never bought that point and shoot. I'm still on my Coolpix E3700.

Nothing better than ressurecting a year old thread. :D

You can also try a Panasonic LX3/LX5. They're both terrific cameras.

I love how people recommend DSLRs when someone says they want a P&S... lol.

You can get good images with a point and shoot, if you get a good one and understand the strengths and weaknesses of small sensor cameras. A Canon S90 or S95 would be good if you need something to go in your pocket, or a Canon G11 or G12 if not. The Nikon P7000 is a very nice camera, I like mine, but right now the firmware is buggy and unless Nikon fixes that I find it hard to recommend.

As for pocketable Nikon's, the S8100 is most likely the best of the bunch. I don't know much about low end point and shoots, I wouldn't even considering looking at them.

+1 on D3100 for small good dslr.

However its still a dslr.

if you want a p&s, forget nikon. I'd get the canon s95.. or some fancy lumix with a big sensor.

The key feature to look for is the size of the sensor. Bigger the sensor the better.

If your budget allows it, you should consider a micro 4/3 with a pancake lens.. that should be compact enough..

and then, you can get an adapter to use your nikon lenses, could always be fun.. There's a lens baby adapter to convert nikon lenses into tilt lenses for 4/3 cameras

@Cheri7: Stick to Nikon DSLRs. Nothing is going to beat your D90 for image quality and the P&S penalties (including costs are just not worth it). The new Nikon D3100 is just about the best small DSLR I know of. But P&S cameras are a waste of time and money. Just look at NR reaction to Nikon Coolpix releases!

Hello!

Well, I am New here, and really, just an amateur...

I have a NikonD90,

suggested to me by my good friend,

(and it is Incredible!)

but...

I do NEED A point and shoot...

(have an old Kodak Easy Share...that is "going down!)

I can't take my Nikon D90 everywhere...

(I am a small woman...and although it is small)

I do really NEED to replace my Point and Shoot!

So ...Please...Comments on the Point and Shoot?

NIKON!

Upsides and Downsides...

But so .I can "fit" it into my pocket..

and I am sure,

It will take really good pictues!

I would please like to hear opinions on this.

Thank you So much.

Cheri7! (Oh..just my "nickname...and lucky number!)

I am "so serious about this!"

Thank you so much in advance! "C!"

For my P&S I have just about decided on the Lumix FT1/TS1 because I can take it where I cant take my DSLR. Underwater, canoeing and skiing... .. It can also do Video very well...

A close second for me is the new Fuji.. the one with the super CCD .. but the Toughness of the Lumix tips the scales for me. I will have a closer look at the S630 when I have the time...

Yes, I'm not looking for a Canon G10 style camera. I want something smaller and sleeker, something cheaper too. If I wanted to go semi-pro, I'd use my DSLR.

It's not like I'm in a rush, so I can take my time and test around a little bit and see which model I should choose.

G10 and S630 are completely different class.
I must say that I actually prefer S630 to G10 or P6000, it is lighter, smaller, and it is everything I need from a point and shoot. Couple of years ago Nikon was a little slower, but today Nikon Coolpix cameras are actually very fast and accurate. And I use it at 3MPix almost all the time, it is just enough for me and it has less noise and actually better pictures overall at that resolution.

You're right, I always hear that Canon makes really good point and shoots. However, I'd prefer not to defect, and if the S630 or S620 is reasonably fast if I get a chance to try it, I'll probably get it.

I hate to bring this up on a Nikon forum, and I do shoot Nikon DSLR's, but I just got the new Cannon G10 as a sort of backup to the rest of my stuff, plus something easier to carry when walking around with nothing specific in mind to shoot. Took some great shots in downtown Sante Fe, NM with it a month or so ago...very pleased with the results. It's a little bigger than some...won't fit in your shirt pocket, but will go in a jacket pocket, or just get the great little Lowepro pouch that attaches to your belt. Very nice LCD, custom settings, and a nice sharp lens with decent range for most things. It's got IS built in and feels nice in the hand. You can get an inexpensive cable release for it, and Kirk makes an ARCA plate. Very nice little camera.

I should have added cheap to the title. :D

I'm not looking for a crazy point and shoot, just a mid range one.

Yeah, the 630 seems to have a very useful zoom range, which is why I'm thinking about it. Thanks.

You should have probably started a new tread for this one; there is no charge for it for now ;)
If I may add a fact about Leica Dlux4, it is actually Panasonic LX3 priced twice as much just for having a little red badge on it, and we don’t need no stinking badges now do we. And it is really no better than any other toy camera in the same price range as Panasonic LX3 IMHO. I hope it will not block me from Nikon rumors just for saying that.
Nikon Coolpix S620 and S630 are my favorite current point and shoot Nikon cameras; S620 has a bit better optics but S630 has a longer zoom, they are both very small and very well built and they both have great sensors and software.
What I do not like about Nikon current Coolpix line in general are actually the lenses used; they all have almost unacceptable problems with chromatic aberration (fringes) that are very difficult to correct. Most other manufacturers are having the same problems also, but Leica and Panasonic are much better there for example, and one should expect Nikon to be the leader in optics so I am hoping that someone from Nikon is reading this (and many others) posts because until they do some major improvement in this area Coolpixes will not be much appreciated.

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I am considering a Coolpix S630. I don't want a P6000 because I have my D40 already if I do want to go serious. I'd rather spend the money I save on lenses, filters, etc.

Does anyone have any experience with a S630?

I want to replace my old Coolpix because I want something smaller, more manageable, and takes videos without hauling out a DSLR and still not break the bank.

Sorry for responding so late, I was looking for this link.

The thing about the P6000 is this review.

I'm not sure if it's all that great.

Plus, the touch screen Nikon (not sure which one, but maybe S710?) I heard from DP Review is "painfully sluggish".

The older Coolpix 7900. Hands down!

the best Nikon p&s should be the P6000 - I do not have one, but I also have the Coolpix 3700. I don't use now - it got replaced by the Leica Dlux4 which I believe is the best (and most expensive) p&s on the market today.

My old Nikon point and shoot, a Coolpix 3700 from about 5 years back is getting really old and slow. It's not that it doesn't work, I just want to update it. I don't want to bring my D40 wherever I go. Which of the Coolpixes would a DSLR photographer go with? I have thought about defecting to Canon for a point and shoot, since they are decent. That said, on budget priority, the DSLR of course has more- I'd rather get a new lens than a new point and shoot!

What say you?

Edit- I meant modern because I know some older Nikon point and shoots are arguably better than today's, like there was a better version of the P90 in the past- I forgot the name of it though. I don't want to buy used, so.