Okay, this seems like a never ending question, but can anyone recommend what they feel to be the perfect Point and Shoot camera. One that all you do is aim and click and you still get reasonably good photos? My wife is not liking the little Pentax Optio S5i that I got her. It is a little TOO small and has trouble focusing much of the time. She claims to have missed several good opportunities because of a slow focus or because it won't take the shot if it can't focus. So I am once again looking for camera for her. I like using it, but I have more patience with my shots and am willing to fiddle with the settings. Here are my requirements: 1. 5-6 megapixels (She doesn't need more and in small cameras that can mean a noisier photo) 2. Easy to use. Just aim and click the shutter button. 3. Responsive. A camera that doesn't take ages to turn on, focus and clear the buffer between shots. 4. Portable -- fits in small bag or large pocket. 5. Large, easy to see LCD. 6. Some kind of image stabilization wouldn't hurt. 7. Nice images right from the camera. Don't need RAW for this one. 8. Preferrably around $200 or under. I know the A series Canons seem to get a lot of good reviews in this market segment but am hoping I can get some feedback from other users here. I know many of you mainly use DSLRs, but I'm sure some of you can help me on my quest. And yes, I have already done extensive online research at the popular camera review sites. :) Thanks.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

Hi Kort,

I used the A series pretty much exclusively until I bought the Rebel XT. The last was the A80, tho it's a little old to match your specs. I haven't used any of the newer models.

However, I will say I was always very happy with the A80 as a point and shoot. Generally got the shot, and didn't take too long to start up. So if Canon has continued to improve this line, the A95 should be a decent point and shoot.

The LCD on the A95 is only 1.8", tho, and the price is a little more than you want to spend. I've always been real happy with my Canon's.

Just my 2 cents.

-Melen

Attached Link: SD700is

Thanks Melen. dpreview calls ths SD700is a nearly perfect point and shoot, though it is slightly more than I'd like to spend.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

Wow that is a nice p&s, for sure!

I own the A95 and can say that it is a fantastic camera - i cant compare it with others in terms of focus speeds and buffer clearing etc - but if you look at the my gallery on here - all of them in reverse order up to "Candle" on page 5 are taken with the A95. Admittedly most of them arent point and shoot situations, but you can see what i got out of it before i switched to my beloved 30D

The flip screen is great as well for getting that shot without looking like a weirdo lying down on the ground or standing on tip toes or a wall   The Canon A lineup is certainly a good place to look, i recently recommended the A630 to someone looking for slightly higher specs than you were based on what i saw.  If you want IS on these cameras you are paying a bit extra as well tho :-S

"In every colour, there's the light.
In every stone sleeps a crystal.
Remember the Shaman, when he used to say:
Man is the dream of the Dolphin"

Rich Meadows Photography

The Fuji 9500 is worth a look. Great features and a reasonable price to match.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05072803fuji_s9000zs9500z.asp

As far as IS P&S camera's (that sounds ridiculous). As far as Image stabilization and P&S cameras, I think there are only a handful available. I know Canon makes one:)

Heres a link to some reviews of P&S IS

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Point-and-Shoot-Image-Stabilization-Tested-.htm

Michael.

I never intended to make art.

Canon Powershot S3 IS. The IS is image stabilization.

I've used it a month and love it except it won't do RAW image format like an SLR.

 

Yank My Doodle, It's a Dandy!

Attached Link: Olympus SP-320

I do love my Canon Powershot Pro1. I probably use it just as much as my D200. Infact it feels like a baby-DSLR with all the manual settings you could ever need...as well as it´s also fully automatical if that´s preferable. I guess it´s a bit expensive though...if you can even purchase it anymore.

I also have this camera i won that i gave to my wife. It´s an Olympus SP320...small and cute. Big 2.5" display.....7MP....and image stabilizator. It also has scenmodes for just about any kind of shot you could ever want. Quite silly actually.....you can for instance set your cam for "Candle-shots", "Fireworks", "Beach" and so on. :bored: It also has certain underwater-modes incase you get an underwaterhouse for it. Some other features are: JPEG and RAW for photos....and Quicktime with sound for videos. That one costs around $200 i think...maybe a few more. Check out this link why don´t ya:

How come we say 'It's colder than hell outside' when isn't it realistically always colder than hell since hell is supposed to be fire and brimstone?
____________________

Andreas

Mystic Pic

Wow! Thats a heck of a deal on the Olympus, and it gives raw image files too! So much you can do with a digital negative!

Yank My Doodle, It's a Dandy!

Thanks a lot for the feedback everyone. Actually there are a lot of P&S's that feature IS these days, but many times they just increase the ISO so that you might get a 'clear' shot, but you have a lot of noise in it. Canons and Panasonics have it, and I think some others as well. Panasonics have it at the best price. I think the Oly's use the ISO bump so I am not sure if I really would call that IS. Cams like the S3 are probably getting a little to big for what I'm looking for and I won't need RAW for this either. The main things are a good, clear, colorful photo, acurrate and speedy focusing in most situations, and an easy to view LCD. Thanks for the links, I will take a look. Believe me, I spend a lot of time on dpreview, stevesdigicams, and Amazon reading reviews, but somehow the descision is still a tough one.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

Take a look at Costco.com, they have a big camera sale going on and lots of rebates.

PS: Love my Fuji and would get another one in a heartbeat!

Kim Hawkins

 

Kim Hawkins Eastern Sierra Gallery

 

 

Thanks Kim. I'm a member so could take advantage of them too. :) Still looking...I didn't choose right last time so I want to make sure I get the right one this time. If I could only get her into a camera store, this would be so much easier. ;]

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

hmmm maybe I am a bit late to answer, but I had much fun with the Nikon coolpix S4 my father bought... it has 6 megapixel, is very easy to handle, has a great macro, a great LCD and a big advantage, cause you can rotate the optical part and goes in every handbag or pocket... and it runs on normal batteries, which you can buy everywhere. Only thing I dont know is, what it would cost at your place...

One more link, only a few days left to get in on the rebate!

http://www.thedigitalexpo.com/product.asp?productid=fjs9000

Kim Hawkins

 

Kim Hawkins Eastern Sierra Gallery

 

 

Thanks mermaid, I check that out...and Kim's rebate link. Anyone else want to chime in? :)

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations