What IS 'Point and Shoot' ?

[283CID]

I'm guessing...by definition... any Non-SLR camera is considered a 'Point and Shoot'. Anybody that compares the complexity of a G or S series camera to the simplicity of a true Point and Shoot, throw away camera...............

Anyway, IS my guess correct ?

[feilb]

Yeah, this is definately a fuzzy distinction. Generally if its not an SLR, most will say it's a p&s. This doesn't necessarily mean that they don't understand it has complexity and great features like the G series (many hardcore SLR junkies use the G series as a more compact camera). Just a classification i guess.

The root stems mostly from those compacts that generally only offer full auto mode and no manual control. I would say those are the true point and shoots, it seems a bit off that the g series and other non slr's get grouped into that category just because they look similar.

[Tantra]

P&S-A compact camera,usually with hassle free operations- auto focuss,less manual controls and a built in flash.

[JustShootin']

Many of today's so called aim and shoots are capable of so much more than their title would suggest. Sure, they are a point and shoot, if that's what you want them to be, but then so are all modern SLR cameras. When a camera has as much control as my S2 (as well as many other compacts), point & Shoot is an unfair name for them. I would say "advanced compact" would be a more justified title. Kodak's 110, 126 and disk cameras etc, now those were point and shoot!

[283CID]

That's about what I figured. I *do* have a long term 'shutter-bug' local friend that constantly is 'P & S' ing my gear! I figured his SLR status was pretty much 'Snob-Value', so other than minorly annoying, I ignore it. 'Thought maybe *I* was missing some important terminology! "You can't know the Game unless you know the players...", etc...

Good 'Nufffff....

[Moppie]

In time, it will change :cool:

The whole point and shoot terminology comes in part from the marketing of the compact cameras to the ignorant masses, and from the early 80s, when compact film cameras were only point and shoots, with no auto controls. They were also very slow, and not exactly the worlds best cameras, much like some very early digital compacts.
Of course things have changed a bit since then, and high end compacts with full manual control have been around since the end of the 90's, and if used well can take photos just as good as anything produced from an SLR.

The best way to stop your mate with an SLR from looking and talking down to you, is simply to take better photos than he does, and make sure he see's them :)

[283CID]

I don't think it would be possible to take pictures HE would think were better than his! But, otherwise he's a helluva nice guy and I enjoy him...

But, thanks for more info.........