My friend Randy (a professional photographer) says he loves the Canon PowerShot A95's color and clarity - I bought the thing on his recommendation, and I've never regretted it. Though I do sometimes wish I could pull a tripod out of my ass on command, the way Adrian Paul manifests his sword - it would have made this image (the purdiest of several) nice and clear.

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Update, 20060503 @ 1407 : desktop version (1600x1200, 334k) by request.

Dude.......a cool pic!!!! Where was it taken?

About 3/4 of the way home from work, about halfway between the Birmingham Bridge and Craft Avenue on Fifth Avenue (~2500 block) around two or three in the morning. :) [ see google maps ]

Any chance of this image being re-rendered (? I guess that's the term) to where it can be used as a wallpaper?

Well, that's the actual photo at the actual aspect ratio, just scaled down. I think I have one or two at the standard 4:3 ratio - I'll have to get back to you on that. ;)

You can get collapsable monopods for not too much money. I use mine as a cane when I'm not shooting, works well.
Carrying around a fair-sized beanbag works wonders, too. Find a spot to place it and put the camera on top. They actually make beanbags with tripod studs attached.
I use the A95's mum, the A85, at work. It's a fine p&s with relatively easy to work with manual control.

Got the desktop version downloaded. Thanx!!!!

<3