The downsides to the Coolpix and other inexpensive P&S cameras are that they usually produce only a .jpg file and the lenses are somewhat subject to flair and chromatic abortion. Look at the at the line the helmets make in the 3rd image, for example. The blue color at the edge is chromatic aberration. Also a lot of P&S cameras have a considerable lag between the time the shutter is pressed and the image is captured.

For an editor, check out Photoshop Elements. It’s inexpensive, sometimes given away with other programs, and does most things hobbyist do. It can sometimes be found on Ebay for next to nothing, or if you go to your local computer recycler, they will probably have several copies.

Also, Nikon cameras often come with ViewNX which isn’t a bad editor, if a bit clunky.