My sister-in-law wants a camera for Xmas, and after researching many brands I still cannot make up my mind which way to go...

She wants a digital camera that is easy to use (doesn't want to have to figure out what settings would be appropriate for each shot) and have decent resolution.  I'm basically leaning toward something in the 7 to 8 megapixel range, maybe with 3X optical zoom, compact enough to be carried easily, 2.5" to 3" LCD display, and, if possible, use of rechargeable batteries -- a feature I rarely see in this type of camera.

I have found many cameras that fit this profile, but what about image quality? ...red-eye fix? ...dependability/durability?  These are things I find hard to get from spec sheets and somewhat dubious online owner reviews.

I'm hoping some of you might have some experience/expertise with a point-n-shoot similar to this and can offer me suggestions. Any comments will be greatly appreciated!

I've owned two point and shoot digital cams..both were Olympus..

I think that for what she is loooking to do with the camera, almost any brand today will give her good quality shots..

Things to look for,  ease of use, regarding menu's
There were a few things on my compact Oly that you had to work to get to on the menu.

depending on the persons age, you might want to make sure you get the biggest lcd possible

does it come with software? easy to use software?

I'm getting ready for work, so perhaps later I can dig around for ya..

One tip is, go to a major retail site, and start searching by features, price etc...often you can find end user reviews..

then go to a site like DPpreview for some good technical info

A tricky one which I wanted an answer to for my wife who has MS and thus there was a host of problems with regards to handling a large LCD as a viewfinder was not going to be used.. There is no substitute than going to a good dealer and trying the hands on approach.. What may suit one person will be no good for somebody else..  You could then play turncoat and buy  the product elsewhere if you seek the best possible price.. But most dealers will price match these days.. 

Some idea of price would help.    And you know even the digital SLR is easy to use if set on Auto!

What I would like to know is why does everyone go crazy for 8 or 10 MP point and shoot cameras?

The noise just gets worse with more MP on a tiny sensor and lets face it who really prints every picture let alone one or two at sizes bigger than A4?

Personally I would go for something in the 5/6MP range and spend the extra on features like a water resistant cam that has a steardy body and good seals, so it'll last longer. Olympus have got a really good cam in that regard and Fiji have just released that 'builders cam that is water proof and shock resistant from 1m. It's a bit bigger but if she doesn't mind that I think it's 7 MP too (if you really are concerned about that)...

Just my 2 cents!

Many people appreciate an image stabilizer.

That's a good thing to look out for!!!

Thanks, image stabilization is a feature I had forgotten to look for...

And that's an excellent suggestion about megapixels vs extra features, Vera.  She's probably not going to print anything larger than an 8x10 ... most likely 4x6's.  I'll check out the Olympus.

As for the price, I kinda figured it would cost around $125 to $200, but that's not the most important factor in the decision.

You're all being very helpful and I greatly appreciate it!

I was looking at a higher price range for my mate the other day (not really sure about price comparison with the states but this is around the £190 mark)... The Powershot SD870 or derivative (ie previous model - SD800) seemed to be a pretty good cam with the IS.  But having said that i think Bruce's point ,that pretty much any manufacturer and model is going to deliver a good shot these days if you just press the button, is very valid - the SD870 seemed to be a lot of bells and whistles for me and i gave her the advice Vera just gave to you.  Shop around and i'm sure she wont be disappointed. Write down the things which you want out of the camera: IS, Face recognition, 3x optical etc etc, in a priorities list and just have a look to see which tick the boxes from top to bottom within the price range.

Also, everything works with rechargeable batteries if they take normal AA batteries... the thing is tho you need to get good rechargeable batteries.  Look at the AmH rating on the rechargeable - if it is anything less than 2000 dont even consider buying them...infact, i would fork out for the highest you can find... i think it goes up to somewhere near the 2500 mark, tho if anyone knows different i would love to know - havent bought rechargeable AA's in a while.

here's a few idea for you..I used newegg as a reference for pricing

Canon PowerShot A720 IS  $199.99
[http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082001canona650720.asp

](http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082001canona650720.asp)review HERE

[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120226

](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120226)6X optical Zoom, Optical Image Stabilization, 2.5 inch LCD, free 1GB card from Newegg

OLYMPUS FE-280  $155.99
[http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082302olyfe280.asp

](http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082302olyfe280.asp)http://www.digicamera.com/reviews/olympus_fe280/

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830111092 3X Optical Zoom, Digital Image Stabilization, 2.5 inch LCD, Free 1GB card from NewEgg

Nikon Coolpix L15  $157.99
[http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07083002nikonl15.asp

](http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07083002nikonl15.asp)http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2184217,00.asp

[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830113082

](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830113082)3X optical Zoom, Optical VR image stabilization, 2.8inch LCD, Free 1GB card from NewEgg

FUJIFILM S700  $183.99
[http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_s700-review/

](http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_s700-review/)http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/FPS700/FPS700A.HTM

[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830122110

](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830122110)10X Optical zoom, Digital Image Stabilization,2.5 inch LCD, Free 2GB card from NewEgg.

I also looked at Tiger Direct (becareful they have a lot of refurbished stuff)

[ Canon PowerShot A570

](http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2952484&body=MAIN#detailspecs)$159.99

[http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A570IS/A570ISA.HTM

](http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A570IS/A570ISA.HTM)[http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a570-review/

](http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a570-review/)
4X optical Zoom, 2.5inch TFT,improved Face Detection Technology, Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading

here's another idea, go to dpreview

and visit the Features search
[http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

](http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp)
If nothing else this should give you some ideas...In this price range, personally, I kinda like the Fuji camera..

Thanks, guys ... 

AA batteries have been a sticking point in my search, Rich.  I guess the smaller cameras just don't have room for anything but small, expensive, non-rechargeable units.  

Those are some great links, Bruce -- I'll check 'em out as soon as I finish here.  Don't know why I didn't think of NewEgg ... I've purchased lots of computer stuff from them...

I wouldn't even go near the AA situation. I got my mom a cam and 2500Nhm rechargables they take forever to charge and really don't last as long as a litium rechargable...

Happy Hunting!

As Rich says you need to know what you're looking for! As in features...

AA batteries...

My first digital camera, a 1.2 megapixel Oly ate batteries like they were going out of style..

My current Point and shoot Oly (4.5) mega pixels) does much better with the batteries.

I just bought a Cannon  PowerShot A570 IS as a Christmas gift for my son. It does have an image stabiliser, it works with rechargeable batteries (over 2000, preferably 2300 that's what I've been told - but I'm in Poland, we have a different electrical system). It also has all automatic settings, good autofocus (I'm thinking point-and-shoot easiness), is fairly resistant though plastic. It also has a nice LCD screen and a viewfinder and gives a variety of manual settings which is what I was looking for, hoping my son would take some interest in photography and may want to experiment later. :-D

I got my wife a Canon PowerShot A710 IS (Image Stabilized) earlier this year and we both enjoy using it. It takes great photos in auto mode and has other settings as well if you want to explore. At 7MP, the quality of the images is very good. I used rechargeable AA's in it and they last a good amount of time. My gallery image today was taken with it, as were my recent pomegranite macros. They don't really show off the full ablitily of the camera but you can get an idea. On a side note, it takes very good quality movies, if that is an option your sister may use. Just get the largest memory card possible. ;']

I find the viewfinders on the point and shoots like sticking a needle in your eye.
Personally I wouldn't bother with it...

LOL @ PeeWee! ;'D It is not neccessary really, but handy to have one if available and you are trying to conserve battery power.

Quote - I find the viewfinders on the point and shoots like sticking a needle in your eye.
Personally I wouldn't bother with it...

Uhm... I guess I agree with you. In my case, however, my son is 11and looking up to his Mommy very much. At this point he's only expressed an interest in photography because I do that (and I use a viewfinder on my Oly e-510). :-D

That's why I originally thought about buying him an Olympus SP-510. You know, to completely mimic he experience. ;-) I decided against it after holding the camera in my hand, though. Seemed a little sluggish and far to fragile for a boy with his temperament...

Good topic. I'll have to bookmark it, as my parents may decide to buy something digital in that price- and feature-range soon. At first I was thinking about giving them my Jenoptic easyshot, now that I have a DSLR, but decided to keep it in my camerabag instead, for situation where the 400D might be too unwieldy for easy use. :-D

Might be a little to pricy for you but I intend to get the Canon A650 IS before spring to use when riding my Motorcycle.  
 It is 344.00 at newegg with a coupld freebies with it,   I have friends who have the Canon A 720 and they like it very much. :)

 I have been using an Olympus P & S C-50 that has given me good service. :)

FYI, my parents (in their 60s) have bought 2 cameras in the Kodak Easyshare line. Very easy for them to use, and they actually take pretty nice photos (great colors).