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These smaller cameras really are not much larger than the compact digital cameras, however they offer more user control. You may find the lenses to be larger, heavier, and of higher optical quality. Typically all creative compact cameras offer the option of storing images in RAW format, usually proprietary but sometimes in Adobe’s standard DNG format.

A standard JPEG is convenient for uploading to the Web, sharing with friends, or getting prints. Unfortunately, a lot of shadow and highlight detail that was captured by the sensor can be lost with a standard JPEG.

With the RAW format, the photographer has the option of bringing out that shadow or highlight detail in an image editing program on a personal computer (or letting a professional lab do it and make a really great print).

Please take note: you shouldn’t purchase one of these cameras unless you are prepared to do your homework first. You will need to spend an evening reading the manual and learning the settings, otherwise the results will be the same as if you had used a simpler compact camera.

Panasonic LX2 (28-110mm F2.8-4.9 image-stabilized Leica lens; good for wide angle). Canon G7. 35-210mm F2.8-4.8 lens; no RAW capability; very bad noise at high ISO Ricoh GR Digital. This has a fixed focal-length 28mm equivalent lens that will be superb for wide-angle scenic photos. Unfortunately, it is not clear if this camera is going to be sold in the United States.

Creative Compact Cameras seems to have gone out of favor and therefore there are not too much to choose from. Camera companies are concentrating their energies on the “SLR-like” category and SLR category