Please recommend an AMAZING point and shoot

[aprilbabes]

Once my old canon elph broke I have not been able to find a decent replacement. I've bought two other canon point and shoots over the past few years and I haven't been happy with either. I end up carrying around both of them because one is better in low light and has a better zoom and the other is better in daylight. It's a real pain!
I would love a camera that takes great shots in all lighting and consistently produces sharp images. Is this possible to find? It doesn't need to have tons of manual settings considering I make myself a little crazy trying to find the right ones to use.
Help!!!

 

[havoc315]

Each camera has different strengths, especially without spending tons of money.

The best low light compact without spending a ton of money is the Sony rx100, with the original version going for $399. It has a fast lens, and a sensor larger than most other compacts, so it has much more capability to handle different lighting situations.

If you really need a big telephoto zoom with low light capability, there is the Panasonic fz200. Fast lens with a big zoom. But it has a small sensor. So it will perform a little better than most compacts, with lots of zoom, but not close to the rx100.

If you want a good amount of telephoto zoom AND really good low light capability (combination of fast lens and large sensor), then the true do-everything model is the Sony rx10. But beware, it's $1300.

 

[SkaGoat]

Sony rx100 is probably best on the market right now.

 

[photo_chick]

Once my old canon elph broke I have not been able to find a decent replacement. I've bought two other canon point and shoots over the past few years and I haven't been happy with either. I end up carrying around both of them because one is better in low light and has a better zoom and the other is better in daylight. It's a real pain!
I would love a camera that takes great shots in all lighting and consistently produces sharp images. Is this possible to find? It doesn't need to have tons of manual settings considering I make myself a little crazy trying to find the right ones to use.
Help!!!

I won't tell you which camera to buy, and I firmly believe producing consistently good images is on the photographer a whole lot more than the camera. But I can tell you what to look for to make it easier to get what you want. dpreview.com has pretty unbiased reviews and evaluations and can help you figure out what might fit you.

For consistently sharp images look at the auto focus system of the camera you're using. Learn how it works and how to use it to your advantage. Some have better AF systems than others.

For low light performance you want to find a camera with a wide aperture. Greater than f/2 if possible. Also look for a camera with good high ISO performance.

I agree that the RX100 mentioned is a great camera. But there are also other great cameras out there as well. It just depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.

 

[Skywise]

I've heard good things about the Sony RX100 but I've not used it myself so I can't really say.

I'm a elph shooter from way back but have since moved on to a DSLR. My sister was an elph shooter until just recently when she dropped it while trying to take a picture and broke the lens mechanism. She went with a Canon SX510 that has a good zoom and is really pretty compact (it doesn't look that way from the photos)

If price isn't too much of a concern I'd look at the Canon EOS-M too system which is basically their Rebel DSLR line sensor in a compact format.

 

[manning]

I'm using a Canon powershot SX 510 with good results. I guess I got it because I'm a Canon fan. No particular reason just happens to be. The best brand is like what is the best brand car. Everyone has their favorites and there is no such thing as THE PERFECT one. I guess you can say the perfect one is what is perfect for your use.

The powershot SX series are their long range zooms. This one is 50X times.

Photo Chic has a good point. It's not the brand but who is behind the camera that is more important.

 

[WDWFigment]

Rx100, without a doubt in terms of the camera.

+1 what photo chick said.