I've got a little casio exilim p&s and I can't fault it! I got it for DH a couple of chrissys ago. It was cheap as (less than $200) and came highly recommended to me by the dude at teds camera when I told him that shutter lag was the only thing I cared about. Slow digital shutter lag is the one thing I hate with compact digital cameras and it will drive you bonkers after the SLR. My dad bought quite an exxy fuji camera and it was awfully slow!
Another Canon Fangurl here. Its impossible to compare other brands to canon as they have the patent on DIG!C and ISAPS.
For compacts I would point to the G Series. Still a little expensive but after that the Powershots, then the IXUS. The Ixus has the bonus of Li-ion, but the powershots have better lenses.
On a side - The G11 comes out in October so they will be selling off G10s soon enough to make room for new stock I'd imagine.
I have no idea about cameras but my DP has a camera that is pretty awesome, well i can use it! its a Panasonic TZ3 but unfortunately you can't by that model anymore but he said anything in the TZ series are awesome and you can get them for under $500.
depends if you just want a good point and shoot for keeping in your handbag/baby bag then I highly recomend the canon ixus range I have the 85 my friends have 65, 75, 80 and one has the 90 fantastic cameras great features simple to use ...
i have teh olympus thast is chidl proof lol
well my 2 yo hasnt broken it yet its water proof so even when it goes in the loo it still works lol
was 400 from memory but is so easy to use, quick response to being clicked, lots of features for fun shooting, good zoom, good screen to see everything on.
and its pink
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