The best pick for $300-400?

[Animy]

Hello guys,

I'm willing to spend around $300-400 for a new camera and I'd like to make the right pick. Hopefully you could help me with that. I'd really appreciate your help.

Now for some details...
The camera should be preferably at least 6 megapixels, optical zoom over 4x, a long life battery and a 640x480 video.
The most important thing, of course, is the image quality. I know that it depends mostly on the photographer, but what camera would you recommend for an average/fair photographer?

The cameras that match these specifications which I found on sale (locally) are:
Canon Powershot S3 IS
Fuji Finepix S5200/S5600
Olympus SP500
Olympus SP510 UZ
Canon Powershot A630
Canon Powershot A640
Canon Powershot A710
Kodak Z740
Panasonic DMCLX1
Which one would you recommend? Maybe there are other cameras that I didn't take into consideration.

Thanks a lot in advance.

[Elisha]

Canon S3 or Panasonic FZ7

[mattdm]

Some of those are slightly older models. For example, I'd suggest replacing the Fuji Finepix S5200 with the S6000fd, and the Panasonic DMC-LX1 with the DMC-LX2.

All of these cameras have different strengths. What kind of things will you be taking pictures of?

[Animy]

Thanks a lot guys!!

What will I be taking pictures of? Well, nature and people mostly, I think. Family pictures, and pictures from trips.

A good focus and noise reduction would be great. Maybe a good flash as well, including night shots, I don't know..

If you had to choose the one best camera in that price range, which one would it be?

[flippedgazelle]

What size are you looking for? You have very pocket-size cameras (Canon A710IS) along with larger ultrazooms (Fuji S5200/5600).

Maybe consider the Sony H2/H5?

Note that the review of the Panasonic DMC-LX2 on this site mentioned poor photo quality.

I'd definitely drop the Kodak Z740 in favor of the P712 or Z612.

IMO, the cameras that have image stabilization are at a significant advantage.

[Animy]

Most preferably a pocket camera.

Kodak P712 isn't for sale in my country, as I couldn't find it.
Kodak Z612 costs $550 here and so is Sony H5.
Sony H2 is $440 but I'll consider it, thank you.

[flippedgazelle]

Animy, based on what you have told us, I believe the Canon A710IS is the best camera for you. It has a 6x optical zoom, image stabilization, plenty of scene modes and manual controls, excellent image quality, and fits in your pocket!

The only down side I see to the A710IS for you is the flash recycle time, which can be up to about 5 seconds from what I have read.

The 2 Kodaks and 2 Sonys I mentioned are too large to be "pocket cameras".

If you check on this site and around the Web, the Canon A710IS has gotten very good reviews.