Which of these four point-and-shoots?

[chaoticpink]

My mum would like a simple point-and-shoot camera for Christmas, and I want to get her the easiest to use, as she's never owned one before.

I've narrowed the field down to these four cameras:

Fuji Finepix A600

Sony DSC-S500

Optio Pentax E10/20

Samsung S600

All are pretty basic with 6pm, 2.4" LCDs and 3x zoom. I've had a play with all of them except the Sony, but I own a Sony and like it a lot. I would just like to know which one has the best pic quality and best features. I find the Pentax takes a long time to take a photo, is that the same with the other ones?


Thanks for any advice,

Kat.

[bascom]

What is your price range? Why not the Canon A530 or A540? I think they are better than those on your list. What Sony do you use?

[flippedgazelle]

I'll assume you are looking under $200...

Canon Powershot A540 - probably the best "ultimate" image quality. I have an A620 and like it a lot.

Kodak Easyshare c875 - I picked one up yesterday at Staples for $176 after a 12% off coupon (which you can find on slickdeals.net, I think) and came with a free 512mb sd card. I think you can get the same deal on the Canon A540, also. The Kodak is pretty nice, it's auto mode trumps the Canon, and has lots of scene modes. Image quality is good, though I'd rate the Kodak's "best scenario" image quality 1/2 step down from the Canon. That just might be my Canon bias, though.

Sony DSC-S600 - the model prior to the S500 you mentioned, and definitely better. Small, takes clear, crisp photos. Last month I picked up a factory refurb from Ubid for $120/shipped, for my brother. To me the photos look a tad oversharpened, but many people like that. Avoid the S500.

Of the 3, the Canon has the best build quality and the Sony, the worst - not to say the Sony is bad, it just feels a bit cheap (which it is).

I don't know anything about the Fuji A600. I've not been a fan of their "A" series in the past.

I also don't know anything about the Samsung and Pentax cameras you listed, but neither company has, historically, had particularly glowing reviews regarding their point-n-shoot cameras. I have read some good things about the Optio A20, however.

[chaoticpink]

Thanks for your advice, flippedgazelle.

Unfortunately I live in Australia, where prices are extremely different from o/s. The DSC-S500 is priced at $199AUD while the DSC-S600 is $279AUD (it's also not adequate for my mum as she wants the largest LCD possible).

The A540 is selling for $380AUD and the C875 for $400AUD, so are way outta my price range.

I really need to get something sub $200AUD as I have to buy a memory card and battery charger as well.

There isn't much around here for that price and that's why I'm struggling.

Edit: What about the Kodak C743? That's only $198AUD.

[flippedgazelle]

chaoticpink, I think the Kodak C743 may be the right camera for your mum. I found a user review at DPReview.com and he had this to say:

"Nice little point-and-shoot. I bought one for my mother, having a Nikon d70 and a little samsung point-and-shoot myself. Casual testing, by me and by my mum, revealed good camera respons, very easy to use and good results.
Colour seems to be pleasant, autofocus accurate and exposure (with and without flash) spot on.
I find the buttons a little flimsy, but everything works well in standard settings and you need no knowledge of photography to get very decent results with this camera."