Pocketable P&S with Raw

I'm giving the S90 serious consideration because it fits the requirements I have. However, I've read a number of negative things about it as well so I want to get a feel for what else is out there to compete with it?

Requirements:
1. I want to be able to put it in my pocket comfortably. jeans or even breast pocket of a jacket/shirt. (My experience is a G-series is not comfortable in the pocket).

2. I want to be able to shoot in a raw format.

What other cameras out there compete with the s90? I'm open to non-canon options too if need be because it seems that in Canon camp it's the S90 or the G-Series for compacts with Raw? So S90 seems my best option. What do you think?

How about the GF1 Panasonic, Olympus E-P1,2.. More expensive but they have interchangeable lens, larger 4/3 sensor and the Panasonic LX3. Also the new Sony Alph NEX-3 APS-C sensor

tmwag wrote in post #10297016
How about the GF1 Panasonic, Olympus E-P1,2.. More expensive but they have interchangeable lens, larger 4/3 sensor and the Panasonic LX3. Also the new Sony's Alph NEX-3 APS-C sensor

i'll check those all out, thanks for the feedback. I'm not interested in anything with interchangeable lenses though.

So the GF1 is a no, interchangeable lenses.
Olympus E-P1 is same as the GF1.
LX3 looks ok but it's max focal length is 60mm which is way too short.
NEX-3 is also interchangeable and a no.

Any other suggestions? So far S90 is still my top choice.

Any of the SD series that can run CHDK can shoot RAW.

can you explain CHDK for me? I'm not familiar with that. I assume SD series is a canon line?

CHDK is a software hack to expand the camera's capabilities beyond Canon's designed limitations. Here is a website for it, showing which Powershot models are currently supported.

http://chdk.wikia.com/​wiki/CHDK

The SDxxxx series are also known as the ELPH catagory of Canon's Powershot models. They are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, but tend to have less options for manual control than the larger models. Check out the current line at Canon.

www.powershot.com

Dennis

http://chdk.wikia.com/​wiki/CHDK

The SD line are Canon's slim pocketable models.

What negative things have you read about the S90, that will not be shared by other small compacts?

denncald wrote in post #10297208
CHDK is a software hack to expand the camera's capabilities beyond Canon's designed limitations. Here is a website for it, showing which Powershot models are currently supported.

http://chdk.wikia.com/​wiki/CHDK

The SDxxxx series are also known as the ELPH catagory of Canon's Powershot models. They are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, but tend to have less options for manual control than the larger models. Check out the current line at Canon.

www.powershot.com

Dennis

tkbslc wrote in post #10297219
http://chdk.wikia.com/​wiki/CHDK

The SD line are Canon's slim pocketable models.

Thank you both. I hadn't thought about the fact that smaller models are going to have limits on what you can/cannot control. I'd like to have the option of full manual mode so I guess the S90 is sounding more like my option.

arkphotos wrote in post #10297650
What negative things have you read about the S90, that will not be shared by other small compacts?

I've read the ergonomics aren't the best and that some of the dials/controls on the back are far too easy to change on accident thus resulting in frustration. Serious problems? No. But it's something I've read as a complaint in more than a few reviews. I'll be going to a local camera shop tonight to hopefully get it in-hand to see for myself.

CHDK gives you access to manual controls too. But I would probably just get the S90 myself.

There are some Panasonic and Samsung models with full manual controls, but I don't know the exact models. You'll have to dig through their model info on their websites.

Can I ask what you will be needing manual controls for? I mean you can't really control DOF on a compact anyway.

tkbslc wrote in post #10297719
CHDK gives you access to manual controls too. But I would probably just get the S90 myself.

There are some Panasonic and Samsung models with full manual controls, but I don't know the exact models. You'll have to dig through their model info on their websites.

Can I ask what you will be needing manual controls for? I mean you can't really control DOF on a compact anyway.

I have an aversion to green boxes. I'd always rather have the option than NOT have the option, even on a point and shoot. I cannot think of a specific situation but I do recall before having my DLSR's using my old A620 and using manual mode. Just a feature I'd prefer.

I saw that there are some Panasonic, Samsung, Ricoh and a few other models but I wasn't sure about their IQ. I haven't had time to spend doing a ton of research so I was just hoping for a point in the right direction from anyone else that has gone through similar purchase decisions.

theague wrote in post #10297692
...
I've read the ergonomics aren't the best and that some of the dials/controls on the back are far too easy to change on accident thus resulting in frustration. ...

My .02 on these...
The camera is small, so ergo suffers. But I think any camera you can drop in your pocket will be the same.

The control wheel can be changed on accident. But after using a couple times, I don't have that problem anymore. I love it now, BECAUSE it lets me change things easily. This is mainly a problem when I hand it to someone else to grab a shot. They often bump the EC.

The popup flash still bothers me - right where I want to hold the camera, but I'm getting used to it.

The camera is expensive, and quality is not 'dslr' standards. I was (irrational) hoping I could get the same dynamic range and high iso as my dslr in a super compact.

arkphotos wrote in post #10297772
My .02 on these...
The camera is small, so ergo suffers. But I think any camera you can drop in your pocket will be the same.

The control wheel can be changed on accident. But after using a couple times, I don't have that problem anymore. I love it now, BECAUSE it lets me change things easily. This is mainly a problem when I hand it to someone else to grab a shot. They often bump the EC.

The popup flash still bothers me - right where I want to hold the camera, but I'm getting used to it.

The camera is expensive, and quality is not 'dslr' standards. I was (irrational) hoping I could get the same dynamic range and high iso as my dslr in a super compact.

Yes I'm trying to prepare myself for the loss of quality vs my 5D. lol - I assumed a lot of the reviews I read on these "problems" are reactionary and perhaps a little hasty. I feel like I'm the kind of person that can adapt to the ergonomics of the camera as long as the tool functions. So I'm not SUPER concerned. I just wanted to know what else I should be at least looking at in competition to the S90 instead of just solely buying and focusing on that camera.

I used M a few days ago - to shoot fireworks at Disney.
Most times, P, Tv, or even Av (+EC) are sufficient for me.

Sounds like the S90 is what you want