~$300, Compact, Good Photos/Video, for Travel (perhaps durable)

[spgyrglegirl]

First off, thanks for the help. Looking for a compact camera (for a purse/backpack pocket--doesn't need to be ultra-tiny, but conveniently sized), <$300 (would consider around $400 if it really really meets my needs). My immediate purpose for it is to travel with me to Thailand and Cambodia in June, though I hope it to last me a good long time.

There are a lot of things I like, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, what I want most is a quality camera (for videos too) that just works well.

1. Workability and Photo Quality.
I want a camera that takes great pictures almost all the time. I don't need manual controls if the scene modes are easily accessible and work like they're supposed to. I'm not obsessed with megapixels, because I won't be making mondo prints (though I will be making slideshows), plus high megapixel count doesn't always mean high quality pictures. I plan on taking most kinds of pictures (outdoor, lowlight, macro, scene, but probably not any action), so the wide angle and assist lamp appeals to me.

Must have: image stabilizer (preferably optical), fine lookin' pictures!
Would really (really) like: Wide angle, fast speed (ex: start-up, shot-to-shot, etc), good battery life
Anything else (ex: ultrazoom, fun picture modes like color swap, manual controls, etc) I'll utilize if I have, but probably won't miss it if I don't.

2. Video Quality.
I looked at camera/camcorder hybrids at first, but they just aren't there yet. I don't need HD (though how cool would it be to tour the temples of Angkor Wat in HD??), but I CAN'T STAND terrible video--no camera phone quality or shaky hand stuff, because it makes me queasy.

Must have: image stabilizer available in video (again, preferably optical)
Would really like: for it to record in a format that doesn't kill my memory card in about 2 minutes. Stereo sound would be super cool... but not a deal-breaker.
Would like but can live without: optical zoom while filming, other cool video stuffs (ex: fun video modes like time lapse, noise reduction, HD, etc)

3. Durability.
I know waterproof, etc cameras tend to sacrifice photo quality for toughness, so I'm prepared to let this criterion slide... but I'm afraid of what the humidity and temperature fluctuations on my trip will do to my brand new $300 investment. That, and I tend to treat my possessions pretty rough. Plus, I'm a frequent beach-goer, and it would be pretty cool to not have to worry about sand, or take the camera into the waves with me. Again, I can let this slide, but on my own I haven't been able to find that many options for durable cameras, let alone good reviews on them, so maybe someone who knows more than I can point me in a better direction.

Would like but can live without: waterproof to maybe 5 feet (I'm no diver), dustproof, shockproof

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I have no preference as to brand, and any insight on any of this would be helpful. I've spent so many hours going over this, it's freakin' crazy. I'm a very thoughtful buyer.

I've been looking at the Olympus SW series (durability), Lumix DMC TZ5 (wide angle, HD, battery life), Casio Exilim Ex-V8 (wide screen, h.261, stereo sound) and Sony Cybershot W170 (wide angle and amazing battery life), however I'd be happy to research any other cameras you point out.

Again, thank you for any light you can shed on this matter. If anyone has any solutions as to keeping my electronics safe from the extreme humidity and temperature fluxs (from outdoor to A/C indoor) of Southeast Asia (I am also concerned for a portable hard drive with a memory card reader I plan on buying), I would LOVE to hear what you have to say.

[AndyfromVA]

From what you're saying, it's pretty clear that durability is a big priority. If I were you I'd go for the Olympus SW series - the 1030 SW is the latest and probably the best, but it's expensive.

[David Metsky]

I wouldn't be too concerned about humidity for traveling in Cambodia/Thailand. It's just not that extreme for cameras as long as you take a little care. However if you plan on spending a great deal of time on the beach and want to plan in the sand/surf, then you should be looking at either a waterproof camera or a waterproof case.

For cameras, the Olympus 1030 or 850 SW models are probably your best bets. The video will be OK, no optical zoom, but the standard quality. You'll have to spend a little extra for xD cards and for the proprietary Li-Ion battery if you want an extra (and you will while traveling) but that's the price you'll pay for the armor plating.

[KCook]

My Canon had optical IS. Worked great for still shots. But I expect that was exactly what the feature was designed for. With video, I think IS demands/characteristics are different than with still photography. So I would not expect IS miracles from a still camera in video mode. If video IS is really important, stick with camcorders.

Kelly Cook

[David Metsky]

Actually, IS works just fine in video. It's not a miracle worker, but it makes the video noticeably smoother. Still, if you are using a lot of zoom the video will be somewhat jerky, it's just a fact of physics.

Electronic IS is merely boosting ISO, and so it won't work with video. In fact, simply ignore any claims of non-optical IS, it's just a gimmick.