So far, so good

I just bought this camera quite reasonably at Staples. Also bought a 4-gig card at Sears for $20! Apparently the camera is being discontinued now (or shortly) due to some new models coming from Canon next month.

I really like the body; it appears to be all-aluminum, rather than the pervasive plastic. The small quantities of plastic I see on this camera are the LCD screen, the flash, one slide switch, the USB cover and the threaded mount for a tripod. It reminds of the spy-type cameras from the 60's, like the Minox and the Minolta 16mm film cameras. The controls are easily accessible, except for the wide-tele rocker lever, which is a bit short---but then this is an ultra-compact camera.

The comprehensive "nesting" menus are a bit overwhelming. Of course, they will give me more control (once they are understood and remembered). I am enticed by the "intervalometer" which allows slo-mo movies to be constructed. With this feature, you can record up to two hours, with an interval of either 1 or 2 seconds, for a time-lapse movie (like building a house).

And how about "digital macro"? This setting allows you to focus on a subject that is approximately 1/4 inch by 1/3 inch. This means that you could take a photo of a fly, and have it fill your computer screen! But I think the most useful feature is the size of the camera. It is so small, it can go with you anywhere. Even though cell phones take photos, they just don't have the optics or the megapixels that are present in this small wonder.