Recommended small camera?

[MarkP]

I am looking to purchase a small camera with good quality, good lcd screen size, image stabilization, and good optical zoom if possible. I have been looking at the Canon SD800 IS and just noticed that there are two new cameras added to this line, though I can not tell what the differences are, especially since they do not even include IS.

I also noticed that Sony just released a bunch of new camera. Can anyone recommend a better camera than the 800?

Thanks!

[MarkP]

anyone have any advice on this?

[John_Reed]

anyone have any advice on this?
The Canon SD 800 IS has 28-105 (equivalent) zoom, and image stabilization. There are some similarly-speced Panasonic cameras. I own an FX50, it also has about the same range as the SD 800, but has a 3" LCD screen. It holds its own pretty well at high ISOs, though you can judge for yourself, looking at the photos in my FX50 Gallery. (http://john-reed.smugmug.com/gallery/2139027#110816205) Panasonic is just releasing a couple of newer models that may be of interest, namely the TZ3, with its 28-280mm zoom range, and the new FX30, with about the same specs as my FX50, but a 2.5" screen, and possibly better high-ISO performance, from the comparisons I've seen. All the Pannies have good IS systems as well.

[MarkP]

What about video quality? Is there one small camera that might stand out more than the others?

Thanks so much!!!

[John_Reed]

I have a Panasonic TZ1, which uniquely amongst the "small" cameras allows the user to zoom while shooting video (the Canon S3, a little larger, also allows this, as do the larger cameras like the FZ50 with manual zoom rings); I presume the same will be true of the new TZ3. Also, the camera can shoot movies not only in VGA (640X480) format, but also in HD (848X480) format.

[jleonardjr]

I don't have much experience with other digital cameras but just purchased a SD800 IS and really like it. The lack of zoom in video mode is rather lame though. You have to zoom to where you want to film before hitting the record button. Then you are locked into that zoom setting. Also, the file size of the video is huge which makes them hard to email. You can use a compressed mode to help this but it limits you to 60 seconds of video (I believe) and the quality isn't that great. One plus is you have the ability to record 4G of video on the SD800 IS if you have a memory card that is large enough. It only comes with 16MB so I purchased a SanDisk 1G with mine.

The photos I have taken with it have been great and the Image Stabilzation is an awesome feature. Really helps when I am trying to take photos one handed as I try to make our 3 month old son smile with a toy in the other. Overall I am extremely happy with the Canon SD800 IS. I didn't buy it for the video capabilities. They were just an added bonus that I may or may not use. It is a great point and shoot camera that fits into a pocket easily and takes great shots. I definitely recommend it.