IS, long optical zoom and RAW (doesn't have to be Canon)

I'm interested in picking up a P&S for when I have to travel light. I'd like something with IS, a good optical zoom (10x range) and the ability to shoot in RAW. I don't want a large body camera that isn't really much smaller than my SLR, I want something that is truly a pocket size point and shoot. It does not have to be a Canon. OH, and the ability to shoot in full manual would be nice.

Anyone?

The SD4500 just announced is the closest thing (i can find) that meets your description with the exception of RAW. Canon changed the zoom just a bit from the SD4000. From 3.8x zoom to 10x. It doesn't have full manual but still retains Av and TV modes

I'm not 100% sure if I really HAVE to have RAW but I'd like it.

Many Panasonic compacts support RAW. A complete list is here:

http://www.dpreview.co​m/reviews/specs/Panaso​nic/

For what it's worth. My wife has a Canon PowerShot S90. It is pretty nice, and takes good photos. Only 4x zoom, but will shoot RAW and has P, Tv, Av, M modes. There are many great features.... You might want to check it out.

Bullitt05 wrote in post #10750744
For what it's worth. My wife has a Canon PowerShot S90. It is pretty nice, and takes good photos. Only 4x zoom, but will shoot RAW and has P, Tv, Av, M modes. There are many great features.... You might want to check it out.

That would probably be my purchase if it had a little more optical zoom. Or the Panasonic DMC-ZS5 would be perfect if it shot RAW. Seems like each camera is missing one of my desired features.

if the S3 IS can be hacked with CHDK to shoot raw then deffo get one

brill bit of kit, 12x optical zoom, great videos

when i say 'hack' its not dangerous in the slightest, just a bit of software on your memory card, not the actual camera itself

:O)

The S3 is a kinda tough to put in your pocket

I don't think you'll get the raw capability, but you might want to consider the Canon SX210 IS - 14x optical zoom, PASM. It seems pretty nice with decent 'pocketability'.

Otherwise DPreview have done another 'compact super zooms' comparison test that you might be interested in: http://www.dpreview.co​m/reviews/Q210grouptra​velzoom/

Their 'winners' were the Casio Exilim FH100 and Samsung HZ35W. I'm on the hunt for something similar myself, although I'm leaning towards the bulkier Canon SX20 IS or the Panasonic FZ35 (which I'm pretty sure does do raw, btw) at the moment.

However something I've found with the point & shoot variety of Raw is that (apparently) it isn't as full featured as the DSLR version. Not exactly sure why this is, but in reading the reviews on dpreview they've mentioned it a few times in relation to cameras like the FZ35.

Hope this helps Personally I really, really wish the S90 had a big-zoom brother, because I think that would match our needs perfectly.

All right, maybe I'll forgo the RAW requirement.

Personally, I'd give up on the RAW capabilities, unless it can be
enabled by something like the CHDK for Canon cameras.

Everything else you've asked for can now be had, with the possible
exception of a truly "pocketable" form factor. When you're talking 10x
or higher optical zoom, you're normally in the stable of the larger P&S
cameras, which are much bulkier than a deck of playing cards.

The major exception to all of this is the Canon G-series, although they are
not generally considered to be pocket-sized cameras, and they do cost a
great deal of money.

I'm not looking for uber small. Guys pockets are usually pretty big. I just meant I DON'T won't one of those cameras that are like 75% of the size of an SLR.