Camera Reccs Please?

[DisGirl819]

Hi!
This is not where I usually hang out on the Dis, but I'm in need of a new camera. I currently have a Canon S3 IS and I really like it, but its taking forever to focus (sometimes it won't focus) and its just not working like it used to.
I love the ease of a point and shoot but wouldn't turn my nose up at an SLR if its relatively compact and easy to use. I can use a full SLR but DH can't/won't (LOL its too much for him).

So I'd love a camera with a great zoom, macro features, able to take good quality and long videos (I can currently take videos up to 10-15 minutes at a time), auto features and manual adjustment features, something relatively compact (we have two little ones so carrying a bulky camera isn't an option for us), able to take good action shots (focus quickly, autofocus) and something DH proof (if that is even possible).

I welcome any and all recommendations. Thanks so much!!

 

[CR88]

I just purchased and LOVE the Leica D-Lux 5. I was tired of carrying my bulky Nikon D200 around on vacations so I went with something that could take high quality pictures, video and offered manual controls. So after weeks and weeks of research I went with the Leica just in time for our vacation a couple weeks ago. I couldn't be happier. It is a bit pricey at $799 although it has a twin, the Panasonic LX5 that is about $350 cheaper. Pretty much the same camera with different firmware. The D-Lux and LX lines are both highly regarded cameras so you cant go wrong with either one. If you want more compact, I have heard that the Canon S95 is an amazing camera. The image quality was very good too. I needed more low light capability and I liked the color balance and images quality of the Leica better, but the Canon would be a good choice too. So much easier than carrying around a DSLR. It's not a DSLR by any means, but the image quality is closer than I expected. Good luck!