all camera can do nightshots, including compact. the pics will not be depemndant on the camera make and model, but rather on the exposure of the film, and the ASA. IMHO, i suggest that the camera will not affect how the pic comes out, but rather the settings for the pic.
also, as for aperture, a smaller aperture, like f22, will results in small star like lights, called neutral flare...not sure if i am wrong. go try it out. do one shot with f8 and another with f22. see the diff.
cheers,
leonard