Current Manual Mode Coolpix

nikon have improved their p/s line up. but to me, sad to say, it's still canon or olympus for the briefcase, especially for manual controls.

Ramon:
Hmmm... I literally know nothing of the Canon or Olympus line - I really hoped for a Nikon product - Do you know of a Canon I should consider? Thanks in advance.

-D

not really familiar with particular models. i just know that canon and olympus are still better. you can go online.... the newer Pxx series of nikon have manual controls and even have 26mm and 28mm lenses. you can check those out.

I'll admit I haven't followed Nikon's Coolpix line for a while, because I think all of them made in the last few years or so were just downright mediocre. I'll check out the Panasonics though. If you don't need telephoto, the LX3 is worth a look.

Check out the Canon S90. very nice user interface.

I'd skip Oly and go right to Canon on these.

Peter:
Thanks for the tip - the S90 is really nice - but the $399 more than I want to spend. Maybe my desire for a manual PNS camera under $300 can't be found.
I have never shopped the point and shoot line of Nikon or anybody else for that matter - I wish I had this kind of power when I was in high school starting out! While they are powerful I do find it amazing that an aperture priority nor shutter priority is available. I'd settle for just one of those modes.
-D

I used to recommend and use canon point-and-shoots, but the current crop of affordable A-series cameras omits the manual mode entirely. However, if you can find one, the Nikon P50 and P60 models had pretty good manual controls before they were discontinued. I picked up a new P50 for $99 from JR.com last year, and then found another one at KEH for $90, brand new. They're not class-leading in any way, but they're well-sorted and affordable if you just want something to keep in a briefcase or pocket.

I own an Nikon Coolpix P6000 and it is a fantastic camera. I've owned Canon cameras and they are great too, but I really prefer this Nikon over those. Color is gorgeous, the best I've ever seen in a compact camera. Quality is on par with a DSLR in my experience. Has full manual control, A, S, and P as well as preset modes. Takes decent 640x480 video. Has a great lens, and is very small and very light. Battery life is just OK, be sure to buy a spare if you pick one of these up. I was lucky and found this second hand for just $185, new they are around $350, still well worth it in my opinion.

The P6000 can also shoot RAW format which most other point and shoots can't do, and this RAW format can be converted in Nikon Capture NX2. I often shoot in RAW+JPG mode.

Just a piece of advice, if you are not familiar with using compacts: In my opinion, the extremely large DOF that you get with these cameras significantly reduce the usefulness of especially the Aperture Priority setting. Also, often, you will only have two settings - e.g., F/2.8 and F/8. I went for a Panasonic myself, BTW.

Soeren