Which camera should I buy?

[DianaJ]

I am looking for the best quality point & shoot. Simple huh? What isimportant to me is (in order):

-photo quality

-size/form factor

-ability to zoom

-decent flash

-speed to take consecutive pictures

-I want something to fit in my large purse. Doesn't need to be an ultra-compact but a super-zoom dslr is too large. Price isn't really an issue.

I am looking at the following cameras but am open to others:

Casio Exilim Z-1000

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX2

Canon A700IS

Canon G7

I understand that the better images are produced with larger sensors. How can I tell the sensor size on a P&S?

Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

[flippedgazelle]

Hi Diana,

Will you primarily be taking photos indoors or out? IMO, the best point-and-shooters are the Canon Powershot A640 and A710IS, and the Fuji F30/F31fd. The A640 probably produces the best overall image quality of that group, but the A710IS has Image Stabilization and the Fujis excel in low-light photos.

Chris

[DianaJ]

Both indoors and out. I used to take photographs for the art of the photo. These days I want something that will take good snapshots: vacation, weddings, special occasions, etc.....indoors and out.

My prior digital camera died (an old Kodak DSC...80? I think?) 2.0 MP. Biggest complaint on that camera was the size, inferior flash, and lag between taking pics.

I will look into those cameras you mentioned.

Thanks.

[mtclimber]

Diana-

I agree with flipped gazelle that the best choice would be the A-710 IS, as ithas the best price to value component. It has more mp and more zoom than the A-640, plus IS which becomes very important and very useful,as you zoom out to the full 6X optical zoom available on the A-710IS.

You can find reviews of the Canon A-710 IS at:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a710.html

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ca...t_a710-review/

In his review Jeff Keller from http://www.dcresource.com called the A-710 IS: "...the poor man's Canon G-7..." The A-10 IS meets all of your requirements better than the balance of your choices, and it has received great reviews.The Canon A-710 ISis a lot of camera for less than $US 300.00. Canon is to be complimented.

MT/Sarah

[DianaJ]

Well... is the G7 better? I hate to say the words "price is not an issue". However, it kinda is in this space.

[mtclimber]

Go for it, Diana!

Most folks balk at the price of the Canon G-7. It is a great camera. Be sure to compare it to the A-710 IS, because it is very close to the G-7 feature-wise.

MT/Sarah