Point And Shoot Camera

[wagsalot]

I've just gone through 14 pages and can't find anything - Im sure theres been threads before, but all the ones I can see are SLR rec's.

My mum wants a new point and shoot camera.

Needs to be small and take a good shot. Needs to be simple to use.

Budget around $500 max.

I've been looking at some of the panasonic lumix ones - I've got one, but its the waterproof and shockproof one, but its only ok. I have no idea about the canon models so can anyone suggest any of them to take a look at?

Edited August 15, 2010 by wagsalot

[huga]

A couple of recommendations in this thread.

[wagsalot]

A couple of recommendations in this thread.

That was the thread I remembered but couldn't find.

Must be blind

[baykinz]

Since you asked about Canon, the two in the price range you're looking at, aimed at the strict point-and-shoot customer would be the Ixus 130IS (about $300-350) and the Ixus 210IS (about $450-500). There are a couple of other Canons sitting around that price range, but the Powershot range (and even the Ixus 300HS, which you could probably get for $500 if you looked around) tend to offer a few more complicated features like shutter priority modes that your mum probably doesn't need.

Ixus 130IS

133g, 14.1 megapixels, 2.7" lcd, video

28mm -- 112mm equivalent

Ixus 210IS

137g, 14.1 megapixels, 3.5" lcd touch screen, video

24mm -- 120mm equivalent

What you pay for when you move up between these two models is the larger, touch-screen lcd, a bigger zoom range, and wider range of shutter speeds (the 210's fastest is 1/3000, and 130's is 1/1500). They both have image stabilisation. The 210 has some more advanced focussing software.

For comparison, the Lumix at the same price point as the 130IS is the DMC FH20 (there are about four Lumix models more expensive than this that should be obtainable for $500 or less):

138g, 14.1 megapixels, 2.7" lcd, video

28mm -- 224mm equivalent

It's got a much longer zoom, but no face recognition software when focussing. I believe it has a lot less modes when shooting, which is only a negative if you really want all the different shooting styles the Canons offer, and if you're looking for simplicity then you may well find they just clutter up the navigation.

In terms of ease of use, the only way to really know what camera range your mum would find easiest would be if she were able to get into a shop and have a play with some of the demo models. Some brands are touted as easier to use than others, but it comes down to personal preference a lot of the time; different people find different brands easier to navigate.

[Bubitty]

Hi Guys

Since this thread is up I would like to crash it!

I am after a camera that I can point and shoot but be able to take decent looking pictures at night.

I like to take pics of food and the lighting in my house is very poor. I have an old canon that looks ugly when the flash is on but its all blurry when there is no flash. Is there anything that takes better pictures under poor lighting?

[ellz]

I have an Olympus SP600UZ which was released in February this year.

I was chatting to Michael Trafford about it and he investigated it himself and liked what he saw so much he is going to buy himself one as a portable, take anywhere camera and a backup to his professional gear.

The only thing he isn't pleased about is the viewfinder but as he said, he looks for different stuff to other people so it wouldn't bother most.

From MY point of view...I love it. I had a Sony Cybershot before this one and really liked the photos that I took with that, but the Olympus is a step up again.

You can do basic point and shoot with it, or you can put it into manual mode and adjust the settings according to what you need or want to do.

It gets a definite from me!

[whiskedaway]

I have both an Olympus FE-4000 12MP and a Kodak Easyshare Z1012IS 10MP. The Kodak is older and was more expensive, and tends to take better photos than the Olympus due to the fact that it's a lot faster, but if your subject isn't moving, the Olympus is really good.

I really want a DSLR, though.

[p_stampy]

Any Ixus should be fine.

Mine is 4 years old and has been dropped and whatever else, and still keeps going.

It's capabile of taking alright pics:

So I can only imagine the new ones are a lot better.

Edited August 24, 2010 by p_stampy

[iltby]

I know the Lumix series is also a pretty good one to look at, but I'd probably recommend Ixus.