Megapixel Wars

Our point-and-shoot Sony Cybershot camera gave up the ghost. Actually, it feels like our camera is scared of ghosts. When I turn it on, the camera vibrates non-stop deeming it useless.

So, the wife assigned me to look for point-and-shoot cameras. I belted out that I want the Canon G12 but she said the if I want that, then I would have to get it on my own dime (ouch!). Also, she objected against the G12 because she wants something that she can put in her pocket and is easy to operate. She can hold her own when it comes to high tech gadgets but she wants to simplify things as much as possible.

Since I already use a Canon DSLR, I first scouted for Canon Powershots. I picked one, then researched some other brands. I thought that the megapixel wars is over but when I looked at the specs of the relatively cheaper point-and-shoots, I realized that, at a minimum, the pixel size is at 12MP. As a point of comparison, the Canon G12 has a pixel count of 10MP yet, the G12 has a bigger sensor than all those point-and-shoots. Even the Canon Rebel XS has a pixel count of 10MP but has an APS-C sensor! What gives? Do the camera companies still think that the higher megapixels is still the way to snare the people who are not very fluent in photography?

Anyway, I am leaning on getting the Canon Powershot SD1400IS. I'll put out a review of it when I have it, but it will have to pass through the wife's scrutiny first.

(Note: the Canon Powershot SD1400IS is a 14MP point-and-shoot so I still don't know how it will perform and what's the quality of the pictures would be like. I'd have to put it through some tests first.)