Nikon Coolpix P5000

Pros: Fast start up, great focus, great Black and White, lots of detail, Hi ASA's that work and image stabilization that works as well.

Cons: Seems to lose some detail in the highlights, it takes time to get to know this camera to get the best out of it.

Summary: This is the little camera I carry when I don't want to take my D-SLR. The image quality is very good and the detail this camera can record is impressive. Although it doesn't have manual focus I find the auto focus accurate and faster than it would to take me to put a point and shoot camera into manual focus and do it myself. It is a camera that takes time to get to know, I have played with it for two solid weeks and feel very comfortable with it. The high ASA numbers work, I have done shots at 1,600 ASA that are fantastic. The largest prints I have done at that level have been 5 X 7. I've done B & W and color portraits at ASA 400 and the quality is very good.The image stabilization works very well, it has really helped when I've wanted to keep the ASA low. I've spent whole days with the wide angle adapter on the camera and really like the feel of the shots. All in all this camera gives me the ability to be creative, do some great wide angle shots, macro work and the black and white quality is very good. I like the fact it has a view finder for shooting out of doors and the manual white balance is fast and accurate. I have done up to 11 inch prints so far and can tell I could go much larger. There is not one point and shoot that can do it all, the P5000 does enough for me.