Point & Shoot with Image Stabilization & Mpeg4??

[HB2000]

I am buying my first Digital Camera.

I’m looking for a compact or ultra-compact point and shoot. I’m accustomed to having manual control on my old film cameras but I want the wife to be able to use the camera and a point and shoot with multiple scene modes is probably best for her.

While reading many reviews, two features I like the look of are Image Stabilization and Mpeg-4 Video. It is my understanding that image stabilization will lower my chances of a blurry picture especially in low light conditions. I also like the idea of being able to do some video recording with the camera and I like that mpeg-4 while high in quality at 640X480 – 30 frames/sec takes up less space on the card than conventional mpeg codecs.

Also a couple questions about image stabilization. In pictures am I giving up any quality by using this feature? And is the image stabilization feature available during movie mode??

Which cameras would you recommend that meet my needs and criteria???

Thanks
HB2000

[jessie25]

There aren't any cameras that I know of that have manual controls, image stabilization, and MPEG-format video. Most cameras have AVI or Quicktime video. Would you be willing to go with a camera that has those formats?

You didn't mention if you wanted an ultra-zoom (10X, 12X optical) or a standard zoom (3X, 4X optical). Most cameras with image stabilization are ultra-zooms, simply because it's at the telephoto end of a long zoom where image stabilization comes in handiest.

On the ultra-zoom end of the market, the Canon S2 is an excellent camera with full manual controls, plenty of scene modes and an excellent movie mode. The Panasonic FZ series are also excellent cameras. Also look at the Konica-Minolta A200. They're all a bit bigger than "pocketable", though, which is the tradeoff you get for ultra-zoom.

With standard zoom, you won't find any cameras that have IS and manual controls. The Panasonic LZ series and FX series are the only small cameras I know of with IS. (Someone please let me know if I forgot any).