Need some advise on a camera...

[purepalmetto]

My wife and I just sold our out of date camera to get get a smaller and more up to date digital camera. We have narrowed the list to three that we think we like the most.

Fuji F10
Cannon SD450 or 500
Casio EX-Z57

We are looking for a compact camera that takes good quality pics, good battery life, and an easy to use menu. We also want a camera that can take pics in natural light without the flash being a problem (why we like the F10) and be used on a tripod. Any suggestions or comments on which of these three is the best pick?

Thanks in advance!:)

[coldrain]

If you want to make photos in lower light of more or less moving subjects (humans for instance) without flash, the F10/F11 is your best bet. If the subjects are nice and steady (furniture, broken down cars, houses ;) )
Image Stabilization may work well too. Then the Panasonic FX8 may be interesting too(it has IS which reduces camera shake blur). If the subjects do not move AND the camera is on a tripod, a canon SD500/550 is a great choice.

In not so low light, the Canon SD500/550 is hard to beat in image quality for a (semi) ultra compact camera.

[purepalmetto]

For the Cannon series, what is the big difference beside price between the SD450, 500 and 550? Does one have better photo quality? Being I'm a novice user, is there a big reason to go for the 500 or 550 over the 450?

Thanks!

[coldrain]

The SD550 has, besides more MP's (7) also a bigger sensor, making the need for a bit bigger housing. This bigger housing also gives room for a bit better lens. So, the pricing difference is because it is the top of the SD line.

Look at the sample photos from the reviews of Jeff Keller and judge the photo quality of both for yourself (look at the SD400 review to see what the SD450 is about, it is an updated version with a faster processor and bigger LCD).