Choices, choices, choices!

[dmoon74]

Budget

$400-600 CAD

Size

Smaller would be nicer

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you? 4-5 MP

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify) Standard ok, Ultrazoom would be nice

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) 9

Do you care for manual controls? It would be handy sometimes

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? Day to day, travelling, going out at night

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? Probably not

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Yes

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? On some occaisions

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? I like what I have been reading about Canon, some Kodak and panasonic models

Are there particular models you already have in mind?
Canon SD300, SD400, SD450, SD500, SD550, S2, Kodak V550 and Panansonic fx8

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Large LCD)
*******

I was pretty much set on getting either an SD300 - 500 just from the popularity as well as my sister has an SD300 and really likes it. From doing more reading it sounds like the S2IS is a real winner albeit slightly larger in size and the LCD is only 1.8" The kodak looks nice and the LCD size of 2.5 is an added incentive however no image stabilizer controls. The Panasonic FX8 got good reviews but I'm really apprehensive about cameras with no viewfinder. I am told that you really need it in low light. I am really all over the board on this one because the SDXXX, kodak and panansonic are P & S while the S2IS has more manual features and video recording.

Is the S2IS significantly larger in size? I don't see myself whipping this camera out on an evening with friends, but I like having the zoom when I'm on vacation. This is my first digi-cam and like everyone else, I'm looking for the best value for the money. I like how one review would rate a camera highly while another rates it differently, only adding to the decision making process.

I like the idea of using AA batteries vs proprietory batteries but not crucial. I like having a larger LCD if possible with Viewfinder, provided the resolution is good. Smaller size would help but again not crucial.

Thanks,

[tim11]

Have you checked REVIEWS & INFO link for basic specs?
Let's tidy up your choice a little.
Those with 2.5" LCD: SD450, SD550, Kodak V550 and Panansonic fx8.
7.1MP: SD500, SD550.
5MP: SD400, SD450, Kodak V550 and Panansonic fx8, S2 IS.
4MP: SD300
SD450 is described in REVIEWS as basically the SD400 with a larger LCD. And exactly the description for S550 to the S500.
FX8 is the only one with image stabiliser, but as you said it has on viewfinder. I'm not sure if V550 has one either.
Where is S2 IS? It's the odd boy out. All cameras you choose here are small to ultra compacts, some you even can put in your pocket. I don't think it's practical to take S2 IS on an everning out with friends [unless taking photographs is part of what you consider part of the fun].
I hope this helps in chosing the right camera.

[dmoon74]

thanks for the response tim11. I have checked reviews on each camera but each camera had it's pros & cons that it made it difficult to narrow down my choices. And thanks for organizing my choices as I knew it was all over the place. I will really need to analyze what I'll be doing with the camera as well focusing on what is important versus what needs to be sacrificed. i.e. Quality but small LCD. Compact size vs no image stabilizer.
Any more personal thoughts would be helpful

[speaklightly]

I believe that the Canon A-620 is also a 7mp camera as well.

Sarah Joyce

[tim11]

Sarah, I'm hoping to buy A620 as a side camera. Lovely indeed. But it still is the odd one out of Dmoon74's original selection which is basically small to ultra compact group and all fully automatic. And it is not ultra compact.
Dmoon74, all cameras on your list has good enough quality - I will be happy with anyone of them.
However, if you want a camera with manual controls so you can venture further into the world of photography, A620 is the one you should be looking at; as suggested by Sarah. You can even buy optional accessories (such as extra zoom lens).