Advice for widests/fastest P&S for travel

<p>I been invited to go to Japan for a week or 2 and want to photograph as much as possible but I dont wish to being my Nikon DSLR due the weight and additional lenses I would have to carry. I don't have a point and shoot camera that I think would be worth my time to purchase but it must fit a few requirement for me.<br>

It must have the widest possible lens angle and fast aperture/ ISO capacities with good low noise quality. I seen some with video but that not a priority but to have ability to use AA batteries in an emergency should I not carry extra rechargeable OEM battery packs.<br>

Any size megapixel size of 6mb up. Even recommendation to good used quality one since I would rarely use it unless for travel. Telephoto reach is not a major concern since I would take my DSLR camera with my big zooms teles if it was for widelife or sports which I am well stocked for.<br>

Any brand Nikon, Canon, Pansonic, Leica but do not wish to spend over $500 USD.</p>

 

Without knowing what Nikon DSLR you plan on not taking....

 

 

Something like a D200 body and the VR 18-200mm AF-S DX Nikkor lens would make you a happy traveler while in Japan. [i was stationed near Tokyo from late 1987 to early 1993 -- and you won't see a whole lot in a week or two.]

 

 

 

It is your budget, but a P+S may not give you the quality you have been used to getting...

 

 

 

Good luck!

<p>Since I shoot Canon a G10 or maybe even a pocket SD880.</p>

 

<p>When travelling I bring my bulky Canon 10D + lenses and pocket a Canon Ixus 860 IS<br /> http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd870is<br /> It's light and confortable and seems to take a punch with little problems, you can't control your images as you would with an SLR but it's easy to have around all the time, specially in non-photo events where your bulky gear bag would be a problem or while on non camera friendly situations (skiing, canoeing or absailing). Seems to solve my problems, on the wider focal lenght side for P&Ss (barrell distorted), and with High ISO capabilities (noisy but same or maybe less than my 10D), it also has a few entertaining features like long exposure and time-lapse video.<br /> You should be able to get one for your budget as newer models have come (this one is late 2007).<br /> Will not take AAs but charger is small and multivoltage batteries are cheap and will last me over 2 days use so I can do with 2 batteries.</p>

<p>There surely are other good options out there...<br /> Hope it helps,</p>

<p>It also could be a good idea to check the</p>

<blockquote>

<h1>The Best Digital Cameras</h1>

<p>by <a href="http://philip.greenspun.com/">Philip Greenspun</a></p>

</blockquote>

<p>http://www.photo.net/equipment/best-digital-camera/</p>

<p>Look at the Panasonic LX3. I believe the wide angle is 24mm and I know it uses a superfast f/2 lens.</p>

 

<p>LX3 for sure. I use it a lot for travel.</p>

<p>LX3, if you don't need the more extended long focus (tele-) capability.</p>

<p>LX3 or G10 would be your best bets here, with the LX3 having the widest FL and fastest aperture and the G10 having a longer zoom and better resolutuion at base ISO, but poorer high-ISP performance. but i don't think either of them take AAs. the Canon SX110 might.</p>

<p>LX3 is wonderful.</p>

<p>The Canon Powershot A series all use AA batteries, I have had several and they are very good, after droping and braking the A720, (no longer available) I am using the 10MP, 4X zoom A1000 IS and the quality is great! It has an optical viefinder (rare these days) wich is important to me because it allows you to follow birds in flight better than an electronic viewfinder will (like the S series S2 IS I had. See my galleries at <a href="http://www.Pbase.com/heez10/">www.Pbase.com/heez10/</a> </p><div></div>

<p>LX3 24mm, with wide angle conversion lens LW46, you have an 18mm superwide angle P&S</p>