First of all I'm not sure if I should be asking this in this forum.
But
Does anyone have any suggestions regarding a point&shoot for my daughter? She doesn't want anything big.
I was thinking Coolpix S640 but not many reviews. I love my Nikon gear so thought I would stick with Nikon.
Thanks

I like Nikon DSLR's but have found their p&s's lacking

Canon I feel as the best bang for the buck with tons of nice models with good designs and near the top of class image quality

Panasonic also has some really nice ones, but they are harder to find, at least in local stores, and usually run a bit higher in price

I just got the Canon S90... clearly the best compact -- no question.

poisonpill wrote:
I just got the Canon S90... clearly the best compact -- no question.


A $400+ p&s with RAW mode and full manual control might not be the best tool for someones daughter though.

Depends if they are looking for a serious tool because they have an interest in photography or just want something to take snapshots out at parties with friends. In whch case you'd probably want something cheaper because chances are with kids being kids they will drop it or someone will spill a drink on it, or leave it somewhere etc

Its for a college student that just wants to take snapshots. But I am concerned about the low light/image stabilization performance. A lot of photos will probably be taken indoors.

It would be easier if she wanted DSLR.
Thanks for input

^^ If it's just snapshots, take a look at the Canon SD line. Also look at the Fuji F70EXR about $225.

Stick with Canon SD line as just mentioned. Great image quality, IS, fast lens. Don't mistake Nikon DSLR with their P&S, I think they are not good at all in that area.

Dave

I would say either the Canon SD line, or some of the latest Panasonic offerings.

From what I know, the SD line has always been great for seriously, point and shoot. They don't do RAW or offer manual control, but speaking for truly point, and shoot, they're great. although Panasonic has been doing something right as well, so give them a look as well.

As for as P&S ic concern Nikon takess back seat against others...The following are best 2 P&S cameras..

1. Lumex LX-3
2. Canon S-90

Lumex is the best, better than S90.

monochrome wrote:
^^ If it's just snapshots, take a look at the Canon SD line. Also look at the Fuji F70EXR about $225.

GO FUJI!!!!! Fuji, by far, is underrated, and for the most part goes unnoticed. Not sure why? These cameras are incredible. Especially the F200EXR and the F70EXR - both highly recommended!!!!! I don't buy into the Canon P&S being No.1.....not for me anyway!

Pop Photo Editor's Choice: Compact Cameras

http://www.popphoto.com/Features/Editor-s-Choice-Compact-Cameras

Photo Editor's Choice Awards 2009:

http://www.popphoto.com/Features/American-Photo-Editor-s-Choice-2009-Compacts/Other-Top-Compact-Cameras

I love my LX3, but I wouldn't generally suggest it as a standard "college student point and shoot". There's more to manual settings, and more things to "worry" about (essentially, more control) than just turn on, point, and click. Also, it's a big too big for fitting in pockets, or a girl's/woman's clutch, so probably not what the OP's daughter is looking for.

Here's what I'm guessing the criterion are:
1) Easy to use
2) Small and compact
3) Decent quality photos for average college students' daily snaps
4) Durable, not fragile, can withstand being thrown in a book bag, and slightly rougher handling.

I do agree that Nikon P&S is most likely not gonna make it anywhere near the list, and that Fuji is quite a bit underrated. But in my opinion, I'd still pick a current model Canon (SD980 or SD940) or Panasonic (FX48 comes to mind).

the newest Canon SD series are great. Check out the SD780is, it is SMALL, looks great, feels solid, has a 28-105 equiv with IS, and is respectable at higher ISO's. Oh and under $300.

The best point and shoots for your daughter at the moment are:

Ricoh CX2, 28mm, x10 zoom, small, fast focusing, excellent lens, best macro too.

Panasonc ZR1, 25mm -200

Others:

Fuji F200. 28mm x5 zoom, good low light.

Pentax W80, 28-140mm lens.

Nothing in a Sony. Nothing in Nikon. The Ixus 200 in Canon, but I'd get any of the above first.

poisonpill wrote:
I just got the Canon S90... clearly the best compact -- no question.


second that .... I have one and it is great for places where you dont want to take SLR

leftpocket wrote:
monochrome wrote:
^^ If it's just snapshots, take a look at the Canon SD line. Also look at the Fuji F70EXR about $225.

GO FUJI!!!!! Fuji, by far, is underrated, and for the most part goes unnoticed. Not sure why? These cameras are incredible. Especially the F200EXR and the F70EXR - both highly recommended!!!!! I don't buy into the Canon P&S being No.1.....not for me anyway!

For the overall line of P&S's Canon is good. I don't like that Fuji keeps the superCCD just for a few cameras. So if the price in near one of Fuji's, it should be looked at.

Is higher ISO performance really a consideration even ? I'm going to assume that any shooting in low light is going to be done with flash making it sort of a null issue.

A wider lens though certainly is a feature anyone can apprecaite and I'd suggest going with something that starts at 28mm minimum. Some of those more compact models start at equiv 35mm and thats just a bit tight to get in groups of friends.

Panasonic has a number of models with 25mm lens worth checking out and I think Canon might have something wider than 28mm now as well.


My personal p&s of choice is the Panasonic ZS3, its pocket sized but thicker than some other models. What I love about it is that it has a 25 (23mm in 16:9 mode) - 300mm zoom range. Awesome to have such reach in something that can fit in your pocket. Also it has a great 920k 3" LCD, and a very good 720p video mode and it lets you zoom and AF while shooting video. Just a killer do anything camera for taking on a trip etc.

Might not be the best choice for daily college life though as I don't think the zoom range really would be that useful for pictures of friends etc. Once in a while maybe, but overall something like 28-105mm should cover you.


Best camera to have after all is the one thats with you and if the camera is a pain to carry, she won't take it. So I think something ultra compact probably is the most important factor as I doubt anyone views pictures of their friends at a party at 100% pixel peeping

We bought our 19 yr. old daughter the Canon SD1100 and she loves it. It takes really great pics. I think it has been discontinued, but I'm sure there is a replacement for it. I think it was around $200.

Thanks everyone.
I am now thinking the Canon or Panasonic.
Will do some checking with the links provided.

Again,
thanks to everyone that contributed.

No problem, you know what they say, it takes a village, or rather a forum, to help raise a child lol