Need new camera for vacation next month!

[llfmpt]

Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible. I can spend up to $300...limited budget.

Size

* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you? I don't care about size.

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you? I think 3.2 is enough, but would like 4 if it fits in my budget.

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify) Help me here..I have a Canon Powershot A300 with no optical zoom, which I know sucks. Will a standard zoom be enough for pics of my kiddos, landscapes, vacations?
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) 8

Do you care for manual controls? no
General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? pics of kids, landscapes, vacations

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? 8x10 at largest I think

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Lots of indoors/low light

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? are kids ever still? ;) yes, I will be taking action photos

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? I have a Canon and I like that brand although I am dissatisfied with my camera (takes forever to recover from one shot to take another)
Are there particular models you already have in mind? I just don't know! I want one that will allow me to take shots quickly and not miss anything
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD) not sure

Thanks! I guess I am most concerned with getting some sort of optical zoom and a picture that doesn't take 5 seconds in between shots! Is my price limit going to hinder me too much from getting what I want? Also, if I go with a 3.2 mpx camera, will I regret it in a couple years as it seems cameras just keep going up and up in mpx?

[jessie25]

It doesn't sound like you need an ultra-zoom; sticking with standard zoom widens your options in your price range. But if you'll be making 8x10s or want the option, look at at least 4 megapixels, otherwise you will have very little leeway especially if you crop.

If you like Canons, the SD series uses the Digic II processor, which will mean faster performance. The cameras are also pocketable. The SD300 is available for under $300.

Some other cameras to consider: Fuji FinePix E550, Nikon Coolpix 5900, Kodak EasyShare DX7440, Sony DSC-P100 or Sony DSC-W1, just to name a few.

[raven15]

Hi,
I will have to respectfully disagree with Jesse25 on the Canon SD series, I think a Canon A510 or A520 will be better for vacationing, because AA batteries are useful in this situation, the SD series does not use them. A Canon A510 especially, because if it gets damaged, lost or stolen, it costs a lot less.
The Sony brand cameras on Jesse25's list are also high on my list, because they take pictures faster than the A520 and A510, if that is what you want, but still use AA. The W1 seems to be very popular. Actually, his other recommenations are also good.