Question: What shoots, but can't kill? [Contest]

Stolen from engadget.com (I don't think they'll mind, will they?)

Fact: I like writing. I find that I express myself better in text rather than speech, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who knows me, for my contribution to conversations usually consist of sharp verbal jabs instead of flowery exposition.

When I write, I tend to get long-winded. Readers (or stalkers?) will know this, though it's really not the case with my travelogues, which tend to end up as photo dumps. In any case- time to stop rambling. This post is for a contest. I'm not going to lie about that- you'll find out eventually.


A few weeks ago I came across a contest with a grand prize of a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. Delicious. A good camera has been on my wishlist for some time, and though it's not a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera- the breed that I've been lusting for recently, it's certainly a ridiculous upgrade from the basic point and click I've been using these past few years, and definitely a step up from my Xperia S.

A minimum of 500 words with at least one photo expressing "Power in your Pocket"... oh. Bother. I don't have any photos such photos- not a problem, I'll just go shoot one now. When's the deadline again? Tomorrow? You don't say. That's what you get for procrastinating.

Just pretend. Be nice to me. Pretend that as President of the United States, I have a whole lot of power in my pocket. Every empty space with ions floating about in it, has the potential for power. I mean, just look at the picture. Obama's happily given me his seat, and I'm calling up Sony to demand that you either accept a deadline extension, or to accept my metaphorically ridiculous (yet still somewhat logical!). Though, come to think of it, he's probably laughing because he just uses his Blackberry's camera and doesn't care about any other.

Back on point. As a 'writer', why the obsession with getting a good camera? At one end of the spectrum, where Greek goddesses sing praises of my daily doings, it's simple strategy (coupled with a healthy does of egotism). Fantastic text should have fantastic photos to accompany it. On the other end, it's simple jealousy. Jealousy for the attention visuals get over painstakingly composed alphabets. Don't get me wrong- I'm no attention whore, but a little recognition, whether in the form of discussion or trolling, would be nice... actually, trolls can stay away.

So, why the RX100, despite the previously mentioned fascination with MILC cameras? For one thing, I simply don't have that much space in my pocket for a big camera (skinny jeans don't have space for anything, to be honest). The New York Times calls it the "best pocket camera ever made". Good enough for me. There's also the technical aspect- mainly the 1 inch 20.2MP CMOS sensor- 8MP more than my phone. I have no idea what the 1 inch part is, but whatever. Point taken. I want.

On a side note, there's also an interesting point in terms of naming- Why RX, Sony? To draw in the Mazda sports car enthusiasts (Mazda RX-8, anyone?), or the Mobile Suit Gundam fandom (RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, for example)? I like both. Guess you've caught this fish, Sony.