What about a Canon S100? It's technically a P&S camera, but larger sensor and better quality than most. It's marketed to pros as a portable alternative to DSLRs and also enthusiasts. The cost is only about $300-350 and it's very tiny and pocketable. You can zoom from 24-120mm (5x) and it has a large f/2.0 aperture at the wide end for low light indoors. A P&S camera like that will also give you more depth of field in your macro shots of electronics (more will be in focus at the same time). It has many of the same settings and modes as DSLRs including aperture/shutter priority and manual. It performs excellent in low light (for its class and price) and ISO up to 6400.
The Sony RX100 is probably the best P&S out right now but it's twice the price of the S100 and it doesn't have twice the performance. For that price, you could look into a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses like the Canon EOS M and Sony NEX series.
For the OP's needs, I'd suggest the Canon S100.
The Sony RX100 is probably the best P&S out right now but it's twice the price of the S100 and it doesn't have twice the performance. For that price, you could look into a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses like the Canon EOS M and Sony NEX series.
For the OP's needs, I'd suggest the Canon S100.
Keep in mind that all P&S cameras aren't the same. The S100 is quite a step up from the $100-200 models. Many predict that the inexpensive P&S cameras will not be made anymore in a few years because you are correct that phone cameras usually satisfy that need.
