Ultra Compact camera

[King James]

Could you guys help me to find the best ultra compact camera based on the following:
- good image quality
- 7MP +
- 5x zoom +
- optical image stabilizer
- good low light shot

Even if I am willing to pay more to get the Sony DSC-T100, some of the review still complaint about its image quality. Do you guys have any other suggestions?

[KorruptioN]

You can't really get a good long optical zoom with an ultra-compact. The T100 does offer a 5X zoom, but as you said, image quality is affected. Why do you need more zoom? Is it because higher numbers are "better"?

[PQpine413]

this article from Ken Rockwell was an interesting read for me.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

it talks about how people linger too much on the megapixel count and will spend hundreds more on one or 2 MPs more, which visually gives you virtually no difference for general purpose use.

this is especially apparent for people who chase after new cellphones.

that aside, i bought the Lumix FX01 for my girlfriend last xmas and it's a great little camera (although still not cheap at the pricetag of 350). it sports a leica wideangle lens so it's good for parties and some landscape photography. image stablization is great on it. i really like the power LCD and the high angle LCD option when you use it in different situations. battery life is pretty good too. i know that they have a higher MP version of this camera, i believe it's the FX50 but i'm not too sure if the zoom will fit your needs.

My friend's sister has a LX from the lumix series, i dont recall which one exactly but it's a good camera too. may not fit your ultra compact category thought.

[blackhawk]

got a canon sd800 is, very small but my first canon and impressed with its quality and features

to get the small size you'll probably have to give up AA batteries and anything above 3x zoom, the larger canons will give you more zoom and AAs

[tienm23]

I'd get a Canon 570is...dollar for dollar probably the best P&S on the market.
Great IQ, uses AA, IS, DigicIII

Not an ultra compact but still a manageable size.

$230 at staples

[ShadowVlican]

got a canon sd800 is, very small but my first canon and impressed with its quality and features
great P&S ultracompact

i love the wide angle lens (very wide for an ultracompact)

[blackhawk]

great P&S ultracompact

i love the wide angle lens (very wide for an ultracompact)

I actually got it slightly used at a very good price for my wife as I have a nikon d50 that she was wanting to borrow and I didn't want to lend:lol: , now I find I carry the canon around a lot more as I travel for work but would prefer something like the 570 for a better fit in my hand

[volan]

Look at the Ricoh Caplio R7. It has everything you're looking for and a 7 times zoom to boot.

[metrojet]

SONY DSC-T100, 5X zoom, 8 MP, 3" lcd screen, limitless video, hdtv capability....

[KorruptioN]

SONY DSC-T100, 5X zoom, 8 MP, 3" lcd screen, limitless video, hdtv capability....

Folded-optics lens FTL

[rubberband]

The Canon IS series is probably just what you need.

If it helps, any P&S from Nikon with "VR" in the product name is stabilized as well, though Nikon's P&S products aren't nearly as nice as they used to be.

As with any camera purchase, try before you buy if you can. Henry's, for example, generally have most of their models on display for you to play with, and if you bring along a laptop and a memory card you can actually test the camera out and see if you like your results right there.

[KorruptioN]

If it helps, any P&S from Nikon with "VR" in the product name is stabilized as well, though Nikon's P&S products aren't nearly as nice as they used to be.

The S200 features "e-VR" instead... avoid it.

[masterc]

Check out the Fuji f50...http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10094076&catid=

[kitkatneko]

Look at the Ricoh Caplio R7. It has everything you're looking for and a 7 times zoom to boot.

yeah R6 and R7 are very good. but not on sale in canada....