Can you help me decide?

[lilmissie]

Can someone help me choose? I'm looking for a simple compact point and shoot style camera. I don't need a lot of features becuase honestly I don't know how to use them. I don't want anything that uses AA batteries as the last two cameras I've had it was the batteries area that malfunctioned. Wanting to stay around the $200.00 range. These are the two I'm looking at. I'm thinking of spending the bit extra (please note the in-store price in the post link - the website price is more expensive) and getting the Canon only becuase the guy in the store kept pushing the extended warrenty program with the olympus. WWYD?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10129469&catid=11719 $199


http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10120688&catid=22534 $218

[NateNLogansDad]

What about a Nikon?:thumbsup2

[C&B Young]

Don't know much about the Olympus, but one consideration there is the XD cards it takes - they're a bit harder to find, and pricier than SD. The Canon I've tried and like, and actually recommended it to a friend who was P&S shopping recently. But if you shop around or can wait, I've seen it priced as low as $179.99 within the past month. Plus look around for Future Shop online coupons - if you purchase something online from them, or do a survey on their website they'll sometimes email out coupon codes!

[lilmissie]

Thanks everyone! Unfortunatly there is not a Nikon in our pricerange that is not taking AA batteries :( I think I'm going to stay with the Canon - especially if the SD cards are easier/cheaper to find.

[GrillMouster]

I don't know what you mean when you say it was the "batteries area that malfunctioned" on your last two cameras, but you might want to re-think your opposition to a camera that uses AA batteries. If you meant that the battery compartment door broke, it won't really matter what type of battery the camera uses; the compartment door on most point-and-shoot cameras are a little flimsy.

The advantage of AA over proprietary batteries is that they're ubiquitous. If your batteries ever die while you're out, you can find replacement AAs anywhere and everywhere. You don't have to use rechargeable batteries, either. Proprietary batteries are more expensive. It's much cheaper to have a back-up pair of AA batteries than it is to buy a backup proprietary battery. AA battery chargers are also really easy and cheap to find if you're ever on a trip away from home and forget to bring your charger (it happens).

[C&B Young]

I'm also a fan of AA batteries on a point & shoot because of the flexibility ( provided that you can get a decent amount of shots from them before they need replacing). If the proprietary batteries offer longer life though, you can always get 3rd party ones online for around $5. So I wouldn't let battery type be the "be all, end all" factor on which camera to purchase. I always let the camera features I want, and corresponding price point guide my decision.

[boBQuincy]

DPReview.com recently reviewed a lot of P&S cameras in various categories. You should be able to find a good one among their winners.