A small camera with full control that is easy and fun to use

After 3 SLR's and 10 digital camera's, this to me is the best combination yet of quality, features and full manual control in a relatively small body. After confirming excellent image quality, what drove me to select the P5000 was its active (not software) vibration reduction, acceptable images at high ISO, and a menu/function button layout that is easy to use. This is also the first point-and-shoot I've seen with a real hot shoe that enables full syncing with Nikon flash units. You still cannot slave an externally mounted flash, but have total control from the camera including disabling the internal flash. This camera provides rapid access to +/- exposure compensation, one of its buttons can be programmed to your favorite control, and there is still a viewfinder. Shutter speeds range from 1/2000 to 8 seconds and the VR works well enough to enable hand-helds at 1/4 second. The auto ISO range goes up to 800, a Hi ISO setting extends auto selection to 1600, and 3200 is the upper manual limit. ISO settings above 400 do yield noise (that I remove with Noiseware software), but the 3200 setting enables acceptable low light images without flash, albeit at the expense of dropping to 5 MP. This camera has more than 2 f-stops (10 choices from 2.7 to 7.6 in wide angle). It also has a sound-only mode that I find handy for taking notes. I don't hear the clicking of auto focus on movies as in many other small cameras, although a continuous internal hum can be heard (the VR?). I do miss a manual focus capability, but the auto focus works quite well, even in low light. The LCD is a nice size, but I have to set it to full brightness to use in open sunlight. My biggest disappointment is the slow response time, although you can minimize the impact through customized focus settings. In summary, this little gem with its rubberized front and rear grip provides a look and feel that are a joy to use.