Do you know what is best about a compact camera?

It’s size.

For all the acclaimed faults and for all the abuse compacts endure - largely from photographers that own SLRs and believe their equipment makes them better photographers – their size alone make them a worthwhile investment.

And, compact cameras don’t have to be restricted in use simply for the family holiday snaps. Oh no. Compacts have many of the creative features of more expensive cameras, such as automatic, semi-automatic and manual control.

But their size makes them a must-have for all photographers.

My compact is fairly large by today’s standards. But it still fits neatly into a coat or trouser pocket. And into the glove compartment of my car. And in my wife’s handbag. In fact, it will fit almost anywhere I would wish it to.

This means I can always carry it around with me. Just like my wallet or my telephone.

And that means I can take pictures when I want, if I want. And it especially means that when a great chance for an image DOES come along, I can never say “I wish I had my camera with me”.

With compact cameras, there is NEVER and excuse for not carrying it. And being so cheap, there is never any excuse for not buying one!

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com

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