smallest camera with manual settings?

[debtman7]

Currently I have a Nikon Coolpix 775. It's served me well over the years, but the pre-focus no longer works (the button goes all the way down or none at all, none of that halfway stuff anymore) and I've never been happy with it's performance in really low light or night shots.

I'd like to get a replacement that is at least comparable in size and preferably has better low light performance and AP/SP/Manual modes. I started out looking at the Coolpix 5400 (great deals with the $200 rebate) but the lack of good autofocus in low lighting and the larger size has put me off. I've considered the Minolta G400, but it lacks real manual settings capability. I then was leaning towards a Canon A80, refurbished, but I think buying a refurb camera is a bit iffy.

So I started weighing the A85 and the A95 when the A520 announcement came out. As it currently stands, I think I'm going to hold out for the A520 since the 4x zoom is worth it to me. Plus, it is about the same size as my 775 (a little smaller actually) whereas the A85/95 is a little bigger.

Are there any camera's I'm missing? I'm looking for a 4 MP with full manual controls in a small package. I'm thinking the canon's are pretty much my only option and they are also one of the few smaller ones that allow add on lenses. I'm open to a slightly larger camera, but I'm not seeing too many other choices.

This will be a everyday camera, I'll probably inheret a Digital SLR in a few years so right now I'm looking for something that gives me compact point and shoot capabilities similar to my 775 along with the ability to play around more with some manual settings.

[Rhys]

Currently I have a Nikon Coolpix 775. It's served me well over the years, but the pre-focus no longer works (the button goes all the way down or none at all, none of that halfway stuff anymore) and I've never been happy with it's performance in really low light or night shots.

I'd like to get a replacement that is at least comparable in size and preferably has better low light performance and AP/SP/Manual modes. I started out looking at the Coolpix 5400 (great deals with the $200 rebate) but the lack of good autofocus in low lighting and the larger size has put me off. I've considered the Minolta G400, but it lacks real manual settings capability. I then was leaning towards a Canon A80, refurbished, but I think buying a refurb camera is a bit iffy.

So I started weighing the A85 and the A95 when the A520 announcement came out. As it currently stands, I think I'm going to hold out for the A520 since the 4x zoom is worth it to me. Plus, it is about the same size as my 775 (a little smaller actually) whereas the A85/95 is a little bigger.

Are there any camera's I'm missing? I'm looking for a 4 MP with full manual controls in a small package. I'm thinking the canon's are pretty much my only option and they are also one of the few smaller ones that allow add on lenses. I'm open to a slightly larger camera, but I'm not seeing too many other choices.

This will be a everyday camera, I'll probably inheret a Digital SLR in a few years so right now I'm looking for something that gives me compact point and shoot capabilities similar to my 775 along with the ability to play around more with some manual settings.

If you want to keep using the ENEL1 battery with 2CR5 replacements, there are several Nikons available. The small package means that with Nikon you'd be looking at othe rbatteries though.

Personally, I use the Nikon 3100 which is nice and compact. low light is poor though. I use a Canon S1 IS - again low-light is poor.

[PhilR.]

You might look at the Fuji E series, which do have A/S/M modes accessible via mode dial. The 500 and 510 have wide-angle lenses too, and are fairly compact.

PhilR.