What is a Good P&S Camera?

[Gdad]

Can anyone reccomend a good point and shoot camera?

My parents are going out west for two weeks this summer- which is a big deal for them- and I wanted to get a camera for them that they will use. My father was big into photography years ago with canon equipment, had a darkroom, etc. but for years now has been content with a probably 6-8 year old 2mp digital camera. Even now his only complaint with it is the battery does not last- but the pictures it takes are horrible- sorry.

I tried to get him interested in a dslr but he does not want to bother with lugging around all that gear/lenses/etc. I know he would appreciate something with a few more features than say my wife's little sony. Maybe something with both auto settings and some manual adjustments, and a decent lens with a good optical zoom. But not so big he does not want to carry it around all day.

I want to get this for them before they go off (hopefully with the promise to take some pictures of each other) so any suggestions on where to start looking would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jann1033]

personally i would get the S2 or 3, i like the picture quality, the is would probably be helpful, the zoom is nice for multipurpose and he can play around with the manual or just use the auto settings, what's not to like? plus if his canon stuff is not ancient the set up might be similar so easier for him to feel comfortable with...If not the canon i would still go with something in that zoom range and IS.. should i post you my usual link to steve's digicams ?

 

[YEKCIM]

Jeff, check your PM box.

 

[Jeanne B]

Another vote here for the S2 or S3. From what you're describing it seems as if one of these would be a good fit.

 

[manning]

The ones I know of are Canon S2/S3, Panasonic TZ1/FZ50 and Sony H5/H2.

I'm sure there are more.

 

[DueyDooDah]

Although Canon just stopped selling it, I really like the Powershot S80. It has most dSLR features wrapped up in a P&S body, including full manual control, Av, Tv, etc. The only thing it's missing, as do all small sized P&S bodies, is a good zoom. It maxs out at x4 like most do. I use it anytime I don't feel like lugging the dSLR. It produces great results. It's a bit pricey, but I find it to be worth it.

 

[HappyStamper]

Another vote for the S3.

 

[nbodyhome]

I researched and then received for Christmas the Canon S2. I LOVE it (all the photos on my Disney photoblog walk site were taken with it).

 

[Corey10112]

I have a Kodak Z650. I'm not sure if you'd call it a P&S or not, but it takes great pics. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an easy to use digital.