There are so many new features in all the cameras on the market today that I've decided to explore them and see which are helpful and which are marketing hype. 

Two features which I really like, and illustrate here are the incredible zoom range on a small camera, and the ability to shoot long exposures with a basic point and shoot camera.

The shot of the Empire State Bldg is from over a mile away.  I would guess about 5,470 ft or so since I was 20 blocks away (commonly felt to be a mile in nyc) and the building is about 1,450 feet high.  You can make out the people on the observation deck  (focal length 436mm).  Anyone remember the Pythagorean theorem?  (shot with the FinePix S200EXR)

The other is a 4 second exposure (F/9) in Columbus Circle looking north up Broadway.  The only thing I don't like about it was that it was 7:24p and dark!  (shot with the FinePix F70EXR)