Age old question - what camera should I buy

[mfox]

I'm asking that age old question - what camera should I buy? Except it's a cameras for my wife, not me. The main criteria are:
1. preferably compact or ultra compact

2. zoom of at least 10, preferably more

3. has to have 16:9 setting for stills

4. has to have in-camera panorama mode, which doesn't require any post processing

5. good image capture/resolution

6. needs to be $175 or under. preferably under $150.

She is not a regular shooter, but would use it for trips/vacation/special events, mainly outdoors.

Thanks

[TCav]

The Sony DSC-W830 has 8x optical zoom, a 20MP image sensor, costs $130, and does everything you're asking for.

10x (or more) in an inexpensive compact camera will be tough to find.

[VTphotog]

The Samsung WB35F and the Canon ELPH 150 seem to both fit your needs pretty well.

[mfox]

Thanks. i looked at it, and it seems like it would be a good fit. The only thing I forgot to mention is that I wanted wi-fie, which this doesn't have. I also looked a the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80, which has wi-fi, but for that additional, plus AVCHD recording, which my wife doesn't really need, I'm not sure it is worth the price differential. I cold get the cheaper Sony you recommended and get an eye-fie card, which I have had good success with.

[TCav]

Originally Posted by mfox

... I'm not sure it is worth the price differential. ...

The difference is $30.