ultra compact, wide angle, IS ~$250

[chandra]

Budget

$250 +- $50

Size

Ultra Compact. Able to fit into my jean pocket.

Features

5-6 I don't intend to blow up any shots so as I understand it I don't need that many MP?

I'm looking for something with a 28-105 35mm equivalent. More optical zoom would be great, but not at the expense of quality.

8.5 Image quality is important but I won't be looking at my pictures under a magnifying glass.

I was hoping to pick up a camera with aperture/shutter priority modes but it doesn't seem like its available in my budget. If you know of a camera that does have it, please mention it.

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
General usage, skiing, outdoors stuff, house parties

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
no

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
indoor yes, but not in low light conditions

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
occasionally. the soccer game at the beach. but I'm not demanding perfect, frozen shots.

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?
Canon, not sony, but i'm up for trying something else

Are there particular models you already have in mind?
SD800. But I'm wondering if there is an equivalent camera with aperture/shutter priority modes

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
wide angle, Image stabilisation

thanks.

[JTL]

SD800. But I'm wondering if there is an equivalent camera with aperture/shutter priority modes.Panasonic LZ10...I think it might be the only wide angle compact with IS and manual controls...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/545365-REG/Panasonic_DMC_LZ10S_Lumix_DMC_LZ10_Digital_Camera. html

[David Metsky]

But I wouldn't call that an ultracompact, it's a compact for sure but not quite a jeans pocket sized camera, IMO.

Canon has the SD800 and SD870. Panasonic has the FX33 and FX55. There are some new models by Casio and Sony.

[JTL]

But I wouldn't call that an ultracompact, it's a compact for sure but not quite a jeans pocket sized camera, IMO.I wouldn't call it an "ultra" compact either. I was just directing him to the smallest camera that has wide angle, IS and manual controls...if you know of a smaller one, let me know! ;):)

[bascom]

But I wouldn't call that an ultracompact, it's a compact for sure but not quite a jeans pocket sized camera, IMO.

Canon has the SD800 and SD870. Panasonic has the FX33 and FX55. There are some new models by Casio and Sony.
Yes there are many small ones with 28mm wide angle and IS, such as:

Canon SD800 and SD870
Casio Z200
Fuji F100
Panasonic FX35, FX55, FX100, TZ4
Sony W170

But these all lack aperture/shutter speed control. Pan LX2 has those controls and everything you want but cost nearly $400. Pan LZ10 has the controls but starts at 30mm. Is 30mm good enough?

[KCook]

Does 22.9mm thick qualify as ultracompact? If so, then Nikon has a new critter !!!

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=1185

Metal case with brushed finish is nice. 1/2.33 in sensor. Does not appear to have any exposure priorities though. Just the usual zoo of scenes, including portrait.

Kelly Cook

PS - A local store just got this Nikon S600 in. They also had the Pany FX35. Just playing with the controls and menus of both I thought Nikon did a cleaner job of that than Pany. IMHO the S600 is a very attractive camera, in a subdued way. Still a bit of an adjustment that there are cameras at this price level with no manual controls whatever ....