Need suggestion on compact camera in 250-350 range

[enthrop]

For a while I was trying to decide between compact and bigger... but I decided I like something small that I can put in my pocket comfortably, thus ruling out stuff like the Canon S2-IS (the S3 was over my price range).

Now I'm looking largely at the Canon SD630, Canon SD700, and the Sony DSC-N1. I perfer Canon & Sony over Nixon & other brands.

The SD700 has image stabilization, but the SD630 has a bigger screen that looks pretty. The DSC-N1 has overall good reviews. Dpreview.com doesn't like canon's elph line much, except it made the SD700 an exception (no reviews for the SD600 or SD630 though). dsresource.com had overall good reviews for the SD630, but recommended to keep an open eye on other cameras, and overall good reviews for the DSC-N1.

I'm just wondering what you guys recommend me. I'm about to go to the store to see these cameras, but the last time I was there, all I could do was "see" them, I couldn't actually take pictures and stuff.

I'm just looking for something small, compact, and "good" at the same time. Decent ability to take nighttime pictures - but I believe all 3 of these models have that, and I said decent, not superb - and basically just good clear images for everyday use. Is image stabilization really a big deal btw? I don't have a shaky hand.. how much does it help?

Anyway, any comments/suggestions will always be loved. Thanks in advance.

[John_Reed]

It is a pocketable camera that happens to have a fast 35-350mm optically stabilized zoom lens. Do you need stabilization? Most average people do, especially at longer zoom range, but as we all get older, it becomes an advantage even at shorter zoom ranges. I've enjoyed the Panasonic IS feature in museums, for example, where shutterspeeds can dip down to less than 1/10 second very easily. Check out this thread (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24155) from yesterday; there I've shown the range of photos I've been able to take with my Tizzy (a little nickname for my loveable camera).

[bascom]

"The SD700 has image stabilization, but the SD630 has a bigger screen that looks pretty".

Also, the SD700 has more zoom and a VF so I prefer it.