How come a lot of compact manual digital cameras don't have the smaller apertures?
by 
Jimmyz101
ANSWERS: 1
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Part of the reason (apart from possible manufacturing limits) is as follows: "Normal" film cameras have a large image area (the image on the film measures 24x36mm) whereas most digital cameras nowadays have smaller image areas of about 5.7x4.28mm. Because the image area is smaller a lower focal length lens is used (the end picture will look roughly the same), lower focal length lenses have a greater depth of field at any given aperture (F number). An increase in depth of field means more of the photo will be in focus. e.g. A "small" camera at F8 will have about the same depth of field as a "big" camera at F16. So the manufacturers probably don't bother to make "small" cameras that can use F22, as it would be of no use in all but the brightest lighting conditions (as high F numbers are also used to restrict the amount of light going into the camera). I hope this answer is the right balance of simple but thorough.
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