What's the best current P&S for sheer IQ?

Taking only the end result into account whats the best current P&S?
i.e. which produces the best RAW file?

I can't always lug around a 50D either. I was wondering what might be the smallest P&S with raw capabilities.

I also have a Canon SD 1100IS. I can get it to do raw with the CHDK hack, but it's a pita to have to load it manually every time I turn on the camera, so please don't suggest CHDK. It also isn't easy to adjust parameters in the other modes.

I'm looking for an option that natively supports RAW, with Av, Tv, and M.

I had the same problem, looking around for a compact camera with full manual control & Raw when I don't want to, or can't, carry around my DSLR. I did a lot of research, & I can tell you that there aren't many cameras that fit the bill. There are two levels of compact, as far as I'm concerned, & I picked up one of each. For a larger compact there are more choices, & I wound up with the Canon Powershot G6. The newer G cameras also have Raw & full manual control, but I wasn't willing to pay 3 times the price of the mint condition G6 I bought on Ebay for less than $200. Besides the price difference, there are certain features on the G6 I prefer over the later models, namely the swiveling LCD screen & ergonomics. For a smaller compact you can stick in a small belt pouch, purse, or pocket, the choices are quite narrow. I decided on a Canon Powershot S70. It offers full manual control, Raw shooting mode, & a very rare & useful 28mm wide angle at the short end of it's zoom range. You can pick these up on Ebay for around $100 or so. Both of these cameras have 7 Megapixels, more than enough for most situations. These were both expensive, Top-of-the Line cameras in their day, & were consequently usually well taken care of by their previous owners. Consequently, many of those offered appear to be in excellent condition.

thanks for the suggestions - I was rather hoping that there was a model with a larger sensor out there than the tiny wee thing in most P&S cameras

I think I heard that there was , somewhere

There are, but not canon models
Sigma DP1 and DP2 are the compacts with best IQ

don't forget the Panasonic lx3 and the Leica d-lux 4.

If you don't mind spending $700 or so, and can wait a couple of weeks, the new revolutionary compact Olympus E-PI sounds unbeatable..... DSLR sized sensor, among other great features.

Techuser wrote in post #8238102
There are, but not canon models
Sigma DP1 and DP2 are the compacts with best IQ

ah yes I'd heard about those -anyone got one?

dgoakill wrote in post #8238303
don't forget the Panasonic lx3 and the Leica d-lux 4.

Can't (won't) afford Leica prices

raymeedc wrote in post #8238403
If you don't mind spending $700 or so, and can wait a couple of weeks, the new revolutionary compact Olympus E-PI sounds unbeatable..... DSLR sized sensor, among other great features.

now that sounds interestin g and yes I can wait

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2009_revi​ews/olympus_ep1.html

http://www.dpreview.co​m …06/09061601olym​pusep1.asp

Is it me, or is the Panasonic Lumix LX3 pretty much the Leica D-Lux 4 but for $200 less? They are the same megapixel, same aperture, same zoom range, same dimensions, same sensor size.

cpforyou wrote in post #8239333
Is it me, or is the Panasonic Lumix LX3 pretty much the Leica D-Lux 4 but for $200 less? They are the same megapixel, same aperture, same zoom range, same dimensions, same sensor size.

Same camera, Leica is charging you the extra premium for the "privilege" of owning a Leica.

Guys the SD 990 has manual the same larger sensor (14.7 mp 7.60 x 5.70 mm) as the G10 and autoload CHDK for Raw. It rivals my Pentax K2000 DSLR's raw images (with good lighting)