Help me choose a new P&S camera!

[DestinationDisney]

Hi everyone,

It wasn't too long ago that I was here, asking for your advice on a high-zoom point and shoot camera. I decided on the Sony DSC H5 and I couldn't be happier!

But now I'm on a quest to buy a new point and shoot compact camera. I'd like to have the option of being able to stick the camera in my purse/pocket and go. I recently sold 3 older digital cameras on Ebay so I have some cash saved up for my new purchase. I've spend hours reading reviews and I've narrowed down a few but I can't seem to make a decision.

I'm not a professional, but in my reading I figured out what my main criteria in a camera should be. They are:

- 7 megapixels
- 3x optical zoom, 4x or 5x would be nice!
- at least 2" LCD screen
- image stabilization
- face recognition
- red eye reduction
- fast shutter speed between pictures
- movie mode


The cameras I've narrowed down to are the Sony T100, Canon SD850 IS, Panasonic DMC TZ3K.

I'm totally confused and I'm hoping some of you might be able to lend some help/advice. I'm not sure what specifications I should rate as most important and how to choose between cameras. I'd rather not spend over $300, but if it its REALLY worth it then I'll go for it.

Thank you in advance for your much-needed help!

 

[ukcatfan]

Here is my ranking of your important factors.

1. fast shutter speed between pictures
2. image stabilization
3. at least 2" LCD screen
4. movie mode -b/c you mention it, it must be important to you
5. 3x optical zoom, 4x or 5x would be nice! -do not look for too much here b/c you have another camera for that (larger zoom = larger camera)
6. red eye reduction -due to the closeness of the flash to the lens on a compact, it is going to be tought to reduce red eye on any of these; the mode is included on most cameras anyway
7. face recognition -completely not needed if you know how to use the camera, besides DOF on a p&s is very large so problems are unlikely
8. 7 megapixels -I would personally remove this from the list and would rather have something closer to 5-6MP

One I would add is battery life and the cost of an extra. You are unlikely to find a compact that uses AAs, so extras will cost a little more to much more.

Kevin

P.S. I am not saying it is any better b/c I do not know, but with the Sony you can share memory.

 

[joellyn23]

Good question! I'm in a similar situation. I love my Nikon D80, but want a smaller camera that will fit into my fanny pack on our next trip. I was just going to post asking for thoughts on the Lumix TZ3 which is the camera I'm leaning towards getting. It's a little bigger than I hoped for, but it also packs a big optical zoom (10x) so it's at the top of my list. Plus, I like that it uses SD cards as well.

I have no input -- but I'm going to watch and hope that someone can give some good feedback!

 

[DizGeek]

I just bought the Canon SD1000 which has most (if not all) of what your looking for...only $219 at Amazon...great little camera.

 

[gokenin]

I know its not one of the big names but I have a Casio exilim and many of their models will cover what you are looking for in a camera the only feature that you will not be able to get from them is the face recognition but I think everything else will be close to what you are looking for