This would have been my pic-of-the-day last January 22 except it would have been my third consecutive commercial-building portrait. So I photographed the candle lantern--and didn't regret the substitution.

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Most of what I ask of a pocket camera--besides that it take decent photographs--is that it be readily available. I really don't expect it to be as capable as my good camera. If I miss a shot because the automatic camera's stupid, well, that's the price I pay for refusing to always carry a near-pro camera.

A couple years ago Joan and I both needed new pocket cams, so we bought a pair of Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H55 cameras for Christmas. The sales guy claimed they were "fast" cameras--which was not particularly true. However you measure "fast," this camera's at best moderate; it takes several seconds to wake up, doesn't focus quickly, and there's a significant shutter delay. The faster of two f-stop settings is 3.5, which could perhaps be called fast.

Despite that complaint, the Cybershot's an excellent pocket camera. It's got a great zoom, and captures color well. I often used it in "Intelligent Auto Adjustment" mode, which is better than you'd think. If I needed more control (usually ISO adjustments), I'd use the "Program" or the (probably mis-named) "Manual" mode and make appropriate changes. Or I'd reach for the Nikon.

The Cybershot had been my second camera for about a year when I began this project, and I was pretty comfortable with it. While I used the Cybershot it was a fine companion.

Late last spring I gave the Sony away, not from dissatisfaction but because my brother needed a camera. I had other options, which we'll discuss as we move through the year.

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This photograph is an outtake from my 2012 photo-a-day project, 366 Snaps.

Number of project photos taken: 18
Title of "roll:" Around Mulliken [again]
Other photos taken on 1/22/2012: none.