lookin for a nice $300-350CDN Point and shooter

[truflip]

Budget:
$300-350 Canadian Dollars

Size:
Compact/Ultracompact (point and shoot)

Features:

• I think 4-5mp will suffice, I mean, the camera will mainly be for smaller prints like 4x6 prints.
• 3x-4x optical zoom
• good to best image quality (8 at least, doesnt have to be a 10)
• manual controls? nah, this is for my gf's parents. so basically a camera they can power on and shoot and not have to worry bout setting up stuff.

General Usage:

• camera will be used for family outings like birthdays, events and stuff like that.
• mostly 4x6 prints. I will be getting my own camera for larger prints and all the manual goodies and such
• I will be shooting a lot of indoor photos probably maybe 60-70% of the time. the rest is outdoors of course
• prolly minimal sports and action photos. thats when my dSLR comes in n takes over.

Miscellaneous:

• I like Canon, so does my gf lol. Sony looks good (esp the newer ones) and I like the idea of image stabalization on the Lumix cameras
• right now, im looking at the Sony DSC-W50 because its new, it has 6mp (which i dont really need) and a nice and large 2.5inch LCD.. its selling for $350 right now.which is in my range.
• other needs: something tough. i mean there might be some times where accidental drops happen. basically something that will last a few years.

[bascom]

Sony W50 sounds good. Others are:

Canon A530, A610
Sony P200

[truflip]

Canon A530, A610
Sony P200

I have the Canon A520 right now. Thing I dont like about is its digic processor. I like the speed of the digic2 cameras. It's a pretty good size and all but I would prefer (or my gf rather) that it be smaller.. somewhere along the size of the W30/W50 or the canon elph series. the A610 is really nice but its just too big. Dont they take 4 AA batteries? and the Sony P200, ive never seen that anywhere here =S maybe US only model? it looks alright though. I like the back how it was a large LCD and white casing

[bascom]

Strange if P200 isn't sold in Canada. Yes A610 takes 4 AA's. If you want smaller go with the Sony W's or:

Canon SD450/SD550
Casio Z120, Z750
Fuji F470, Z3
Pana FX01, TZ1

[truflip]

hmm.. i looked at these camera in canadian website and most of them are $400 give or take.. I think I will try out the Sony W50. its $350 and I like the size of the screen. Read the review and im still a little eeky about it. I liek the Canon SD450 too but the closest I can find is an SD430, the smaller guy. Gonna read the review soon about it.

[bascom]

How much USD is $300-350CDN?

[truflip]

USD is 10% more than the CDN right now. sooo 300 CDN is about $270 USD.. soo in USD i guess the budget would be 270-300 I was actually thinking of purchasing one from newegg and having a friend ship it over from FLA.. but I mean, id get charged for two taxes, shipping and handling, border fees and broker fees.. :S in the end it will prbably cost as much or maybe more.. so yea..

[bascom]

Most the ones on my list are 275 USD or less in the USA. They must cost more in Canada.

Canon SD450
Casio Z120, Z750
Fuji F470, Z3
Pana FX01

[truflip]

sorry about the late reply. I searched around for the camera's you suggested. I can only find the SD450 ($370) Fuji F470 for $370 and the FX01 for $450 hmmmm... lets see.. right now i have an interest in the Sony DSC-T5.. but the thing is its not soo good for indoors.. but its $300
hmm.. I could pick up the FinePix Z1 for $330 right now (its on sale) thing I dont like about it compared to the T5 is that the LCD Screen is bad resolution, it looks liek crap compared to the High-res LCD that the T5 has =( but the Z1 if LCD wasnt a factor seems like a better camera??

so right now, I have the Sony W50 and T5. Canon's SD450 and im thinking about the Fuji's F470 and Z1.. hmmm...

[jamison55]

I just bought my wife a Sony W30 (same as the W50 except for a smaller lcd). This thing takes great pictures, and takes them super fast for a PnS. Much faster than the Canon A80 I used to have - and much cleaner at middle ISO's. I don't hesitate to use it at 400. Incidentally, I wanted a W50, but they were sold out at eery store I went to.