P&S Recommendations

[jstad]

I am looking to buy a new P&S camera as mine is now far obsolete at 3MP. I used to own a Canon Powershot A-series but I did not find much use for it as its a pain to stick in your pocket (battery pack). Also when i bought it i was on a very tight budget.

Anyway, I need a new P&S for taking pictures on my nights out with my girlfriend and on vacations we take (where a SLR is a hassle to carry). I also would love to see a P&S that can take good macro shots as I take close up pictures of circuit boards and things in my profession. My main problem is with all this megapixel wars going on in the P&S market, how do i find the best camera? I am not too sure on ISO-stuff yet so keep it simple for me.

So remember key things I am looking for:
- Vibrant Colors (my current P&S shot all washed out, dull pictures)
- Close-up shots (that are not incredibly fuzzy)
- Good Flash
- Image Stabilization
- Sequential shots

If you can point me in the right direction with some recommendations. I want something that can fit in a normal pocket (front or back pocket, I do not care )

As far as budget, I am hoping for something between $200-350 but I will pay more if it is really worth it...

 

[ksmattfish]

Anyway, I need a new P&S for taking pictures on my nights out with my girlfriend and on vacations we take (where a SLR is a hassle to carry). I also would love to see a P&S that can take good macro shots as I take close up pictures of circuit boards and things in my profession. My main problem is with all this megapixel wars going on in the P&S market, how do i find the best camera?

There are a few Fuji P&S cameras (like the F30) that are getting rave reviews for their high ISO (low light) performance. The examples I've seen are head and shoulders better than what I'd expect from a P&S. Unfortunately their bright light (low ISO) performance seems a bit sub-standard.

If I thought I'd be doing mostly low light/indoor photography I'd go with a Fuji. If I wanted bright light/outdoor daytime performance, I'd go with whatever Canon or Nikon I could afford.

 

[hudsonp]

i just bought the Panasonic Lumix 7.1MP for my wife - it was 149. pretty good P&S, small and fits in her purse pretty easy. nice image stabilization too

 

[lkavaney]

canon ixus 850 IS has done me well when the SLR has been a no go for places/situations.