P&S vs Compact

[camera.bear]

I just noticed a new thread about what is your favorite "Point and Shoot" camera, and it brings up a question in my mind. Do people make any distinction between a totally automatic P&S camera and a compact camera with skads of user controlled features?. For example, is an Olympus XA a Point and Shoot or a compact rangefinder? How much user control before it stops being a P&S and becomes a luxury compact? Does autofocus only make it a point and shoot even if you can control the aperture / shutter? I'm not sure; what do you think?

 

[kshapero]

How about plastic vs. metal?

 

[micromoogman]

I don't like using the word Point and Shoot, it seldom is a true and only a P&S camera... Contax T2, T3 have a P mode where it actually is a P&S camera. On the other hand any SLR Nikon and Canon can do this, so the term P&S sucks. Using Compact camera is much broader and better for this kind of cameras. In my opinion of course. Cheers!

 

[sevo]

On the other hand any SLR Nikon and Canon can do this,

Only AF SLRs have a P&S mode. The real question is whether a P&S camera may have other modes besides P&S.

Sevo