I finally picked up a P&S camera that “doesn’t suck”. I use quotes because I’m not sure yet. I’ve had a few P&S digital cameras in the past and I’ve hated them all to the point that they rarely get used. So what good are they then? My criteria for the new P&S were as follows:

• non 4:3 ratio image (2:3 is what a DSLR and 35mm film use and I love it, this Leica has 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9)
• A wide angle lens (most P&Ss start at 35mm, the leica starts at 28mm)
• Manual modes
• a fast lens (f/2.8 or faster, it is f/2.8 at 28mm)
• and image stabilized lens (to help take shots in low light w/o using the flash)
• A black camera

There were very few options that fit all these criteria. The canon G9 was an option but 35mm is the widest it’s lens goes and it a 4:3 sensor format. It did have a very nice waterproof case though which would be nice. There where a few Ricohs that were also an option (notably the GX100) but the few reviews I found actually compared it to the camera I picked and the Leica “won” those comparisons. Also the Ricoh’s are only available at Adorama and I had B&H GCs to spend… So far I’ve been very happy with the Leica. I love the 16:9 format. The lens is spectacular for a P&S and it’s IS works down to a bout 1/10th of a second. It’s been a wonderful camera and I’m actually using it. It also takes decent movies which will be nice once the baby’s here. It’s not perfect, that’s for sure, but so far I’ve been very happy with it.  It’s as good as a P&S will get for me. The Sigma DP1 was another consideration, but it’s not even officially released yet, and even when it is who knows what it will cost ($700~$1000?).