The Canon USA page should probably come with a warning label, like the ones they put on beer and cigarettes.  Something along the lines of, “Caution – viewing this page may result in feelings of envy, desire, longing, and jealousy.  In some instances, serious side effects have been known to occur, including a noticeable decrease in the balance of your checking account.”

I’m finally at a point where I’m happy with my photography gear.  The 7D is enough camera that I should get at least a couple of years out of it before needing to upgrade.  My 400D still serves well as a backup camera.  There are still a few lenses I want, but by and large they’re not huge or expensive.  Another Speedlite or two and I’ll be satisfied.

And yet the addiction doesn’t stop.  I looked at the Powershot product page last night and immediately thought that what I really wanted was an SX20, or even an SX1 -  both of which are essentially small, fixed-lens SLRs, dumbed down to P&S level.  I went so far as to read reviews and check the specs.  They’ve got hotshoes, IS, 28-560mm zoom lenses!

See?  This stuff is like crack! 

The problem is, I just got rid of a $400 P&S because I couldn’t justify having it.  It was too big and too expensive when all I really needed was a little camera I could stick in my pocket.  Something lightweight and simple that I could travel & play tourist with.

What in the hell would I need an SX20 for?  Nothing, that’s what!

Yet it is still so tempting…

What’s worse is, according to the rumor mill, Canon will be making announcements in February, releasing a number of new products – new DSLRs, lenses, and Powershot cameras are all expected.  Which will probably throw my satisfaction with my lens collection into disarray and send me lusting after something new and prohibitively expensive.

Same thing with the P&S, never mind that it’s supposed to be cheap and simple.  No, like any unhealthy addiction, this one will only be salved by throwing unseemly sums of money at it.  Gotta get a fix to feel better.

On the other hand, Mandy has hinted at wanting a nicer, more feature-filled camera than her current A-series P&S.  Maybe if I buy a camera for her, it would fulfill the addiction without being too outlandish.  Oh the justifications, they just keep rolling in…