Cheapest Sony Alpha NEX-3A Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera - Prosumer - 14.2 Mpix - w/16mm Lens (Black) - Supported memory: MS Duo, SD, MS PRO Duo, SDXC, MS PRO-HG Duo HX, SDHC, MS PRO-HG Duo

So I've been waiting for a compact camera with either 4/3rds sensor size or larger and priced around $600. There are only a few on the market:
- Sigma DP1, DP2 (Sensor size 20.7mm x 13.8mm)
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 (Sensor size 4/3rds : 17.3mm x 13.0mm)
- Olympus PEN E-PL1, E-P1, E-P2 (Sensor size 4/3rds : 17.3mm x 13.0mm)
- Sony NEX3, NEX5 (Sensor size APS-C 22.2mm x 14.8mm)

I was leaning towards the Olympus but read that Sony was going to make a APS-C size sensor compact camera so I waited and finally got it.

I own lots of cameras, Nikon D700, Nikon D300, Nikon D50, Panasonic LX3, Canon S90, Canon SD960, and a bunch of others.

Pros about NEX3:
- This thing shoots fantastic photos.
- The 16mm : 24mm equiv lens is awesome.
- HD video is pretty cool.
- Innovative controls need to get use to.
- Panaramic shooting mode.
- Photos are very sharp.
- Cool screen flexibilities.

Cons:
- Only got the pancake 16mm for compactness, 18-55mm is too big and defeats the whole purpose.
- It's possible to shoot manual but ISO is hidden under two menus to adjust, apperture & shutter is easy to adjust.
- Battery does go fast even when turned off, the firmware update did help.
- Weird flash attachment, wish it could bend upwards for ceiling bounce flash.
- Wish they sold a snug fit leather case like shown on website.
[...]

Other than that, it's a pretty sweet camera. I heard Nikon is developing their own so that they can keep up with the compact large size sensor market. I hope it's a DX format sensor so almost equivalent to APS-C sensor.
Get more detail about Sony Alpha NEX-3A Compact Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera - Prosumer - 14.2 Mpix - w/16mm Lens (Black) - Supported memory: MS Duo, SD, MS PRO Duo, SDXC, MS PRO-HG Duo HX, SDHC, MS PRO-HG Duo.

Buying Nikon Coolpix S630 - Digital camera - compact - 12.0 Mpix - optical zoom: 7 x - supported memory: MMC, SD, SDHC - jet black

Camera doesn't come with a memory card!Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Jet Black)Get more detail about Nikon Coolpix S630 - Digital camera - compact - 12.0 Mpix - optical zoom: 7 x - supported memory: MMC, SD, SDHC - jet black.

Buying Nikon Coolpix S510 - Digital camera - compact - 8.1 Mpix - optical zoom: 3 x - supported memory: MMC, SD, SDHC

I purchased this camera for the sole purpose of having a time lapse camera. That is a small feature that is noticeably absent from most point and shoots out there. This feature doesn't disappoint. You can have it automatically record a 30 fps .avi file, or just keep the images from the time lapse separate. I was a little apprehensive that the time lapse was only VGA quality, but with video that's fine. I kind of wish there were an option to take pictures at intervals less than 30 seconds. The camera is smart enough to turn off the display in time lapse to save battery life. I love this feature and it has really opened my eyes to see things in a new light.

Other thoughts: VERY noisy above ISO 400. ISO 1600 unusable - unless you're using it to time lapse, at which point the noise is not so noticeable. Don't ask me why I had the ISO kicked up so high since I obviously had the camera stationary, it was a mistake. On that note, this camera does allow you to set the ISO, and of course it does have auto ISO.

I like the metal front. I love the very fast startup time. The screen in the back is pretty bad. It really makes images look grainier than they are.

I would buy this camera again. Given the features and the low cost, I can get over the bad screen and poor low-light performance. The images are what matters and this camera definitely performs.Get more detail about Nikon Coolpix S510 - Digital camera - compact - 8.1 Mpix - optical zoom: 3 x - supported memory: MMC, SD, SDHC.