If you happen to have a S5 (or s3 among other Canon models) there is a utility firmware that you can run inside your camera and many new cool features to your camera such as storing RAW images!  One of the parts I am the most excited about, being a software developer for almost two decades, is the ability to write scripts that run inside my camera and automate some functionality.  Here is a starter:

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/S5IS

After a bit of browsing though, it appears if you are using a memory card greater than 2GB, you will need to go through some extra steps.  Here is an excellent step-by-step post on how to handle large cards:

http://mind-fields-ahead.blogspot.com/2008/04/canon-s5-is-chdk-hack-step-by-step.html

I have yet to try this as I do not have a card reader that works with my large card, but I am ordering one :)

BTW, it seems I am not the only one excited by the ability to take decent pictures (his better exposed than mine though ;)):

http://mind-fields-ahead.blogspot.com/2008/05/to-moon-and-back.html

I thought this was an unusual shadow.  The Elk and the Shepard's hook cast a shadow that appears to me as a man fishing:

After spending years with my old .85 megapixel (Yep, .85) Olympus digital camera that I paid $1,100 around a decade ago:

http://www.dcviews.com/_olympus/0500.htm

I went out and purchased the Canon Powershot S5 IS.  Yep, I know they will probably put out a new version over the next couple of weeks to the next couple of months, but this one has most of the features I need for a good play camera.

http://www.dcviews.com/_canon/s5.htm

Here is a blog that helped my finalize my choice after weeks of digging  up online resources:

http://usingthecanons5is.blogspot.com/

What Fun!

On my first evening with the camera, I had some fun.  One of the shots that impressed me was the moon, which I shot at the 12x zoom plus the digital 4x zoom, free handed with the lens shaking all over the place.

(Click on image for original)

That is not bad for an inexpensive point and shot! 

There will be many pictures coming along in the future when I have time to play!