This RFI is not directly bird-specific, but it relates to gear used for documenting bird sightings.

I am looking to buy a point and shoot digital camera that is ideal for digiscoping birds.  Now that I have read (I think!) most of the online reviews about it, I am looking for info from the MDOsprey community with experience using point and shoots.  See last paragraph.

To start, I'll say what I have learned that is important to consider for digiscoping.  From what I read the ideal (= clearest image quality and color) for digiscoping is somewhere between 4-6MP for best resolution, based on best combination of pixel count used for the size of image sensors typically found on point and shoots (1/2.7" - 1/1.8"), and with an optical zoom no more than about 4.5-5x.  A high ISO capability is nice for low light, but is limited by the optimization, which is at a low pixel count for the least amount of "noise".   You balance between low-noise = high ISO with small pixel count, and higher noise, from slower ISO with large pixel count.

All that said, my specific question is not about brands, pixels, ISO, zoom, upload/reload speed, etc.:

Is there any difference in 1. quality or 2. convenience between the following two lens types?  When you turn on the camera, the lens is exposed.  Most digicams have a lens that telescopes and sticks out past the front plane of the camera body, but on some point and shoots the lens is somehow located entirely within the body and does not extend beyond the plane of the camera's front, regardless of the optical zoom setting.

Pros and Cons for digiscoping - The latter type has a cover of some type (plastic?) over the lens element, which may further reduce sensor reading or image quality after image travels through the scope.  This cover may also be prone to get scratched.  Compare to the former, with no material covering the exposed lens.  Additionally, in theory it should be easier to steady the latter type on a telescope eyepiece (= hold camera by hand, without using a scope attachment), since it is simply resting a flat plane on the scope eyepiece, compared to a resting a telescoping series of lens sections from the former type.  And lastly, it may also easier to focus the latter type after while it is steadied on the scope eyepiece.  Some of this may be moot if you buy a fancy bracket made specifically for digiscoping, but I don't intend to buy one of these.

I would like to hear from anyone with experience or knowledge of this (offline, unless it is pertinent for readers).

Thank you!
Jeff Shenot

Croom Md