I'm the OP:).

I brought up the subject Canon S90 because of the supposedly wonderful ergonomics according to Rockwell. Which is the only reason he called it worlds best digital P&S. His fav DSLR is a Nikon by the way.

My only experience (considerable) is with heavy 1950's era bulletproof 35 mm dedicated stereo cameras using slide film. By the way camerarepair dot com does CLA (restoration adjustments) on many old brands of those (Realist, TDC, Kodak, Revere, Wollensak, etc).