1. Cannon makes nice cameras and a powershot does seem to be a nice entry. You get a good amount of resolution and zoom for you wallet in my opinion. 2.Personally I'm still using my Sony Mavica with it whopping ( 640 X 480 ) =;-P ( But it does have a 10X zoom!!! ) 3. I think it may depend on the camers ( the resolution changes ) 4. Regarding the differences between converted to b/w and photographed b/w and actual rgb you be the judge. Personally I think at my cameras resolution it does not make a difference. 1.st color.