Help Frod pick a digital camera (in Off-topic)

I've been shopping around for a digital (still) camera. What I _really_ want is a digital SLR, but I don't want to pay that much. I've found a few camera review sites, but to be honest, there are too many models out there, and I don't want to make a full-time job out of reading all the reviews. :-)

So here's what I want:

• 4 MP or better
• highest optical zoom I can get (more than 3x; digital is crap)
• as small as possible (ideally something flat I can put in a coat pocket)
• no more than around $400.

Any digital camera owners have a recommendation?

I love my 5MP Canon S5, with 3.something optical zoom. It's small but a little heavy with solid metal casing. It's been superceded by the 6MP S6 so you should get one in your price range online.

Not to hijack Frod's thread, but I'm looking for something similar. The only difference is I'm also looking for low shutter lag (and 3x optical zoom is enough for me).

Canon++

I have an older Canon Powershot G2 that is great. The G3 is out now but this thing does everything I need so haven't bothered upgrading. I've recommended Canon to most my family and friends, everyone has enjoyed them.

If you hurry, www.woot.com had a smoking deal on an HP.

Doh...nevermind.

Sorry.

Check out www.bensbargains.com or www.techbargains.net

Camera deals all the time. I used them to pick up a Minolta so tiny I use an old card deck holder to store it.

wow... for 169.99 I could put up with a lot of shutter lag from a 5 MP camera.

Your son will love all the photos taken 'just after' he did something you'll want to treasure forever!

Without question, go with Canon, I have the older S30 which I love, my sister has the S70 to replace her Nikon. Everyone I know loves their Canon. I do field service on photographic printers and processors and come in contact with a lot of people who use and print a lot of images from digital cameras and Canon is a big favorite.
Jon, I'm not sure about the latest high end "point and shoot" models, but shutter lag seems to be an issue with cameras that aren't SLRs. Canon's processor is designed specifically for digital photography so the new models may be faster.

Not to "talk down", since I don't know jack about photos, but keep in mind the cardinal rule -- If you dont have the camera on you, then you ain't taking a picture.

The family of camera was smaller for me (3-4 MPx), but I went compact with the Nikon Cool Pix 3700. I still don't use it, but that's just because I forgot the second cardinal rule -- I don't really take pictures.

What I am trying to say is that you have to feel the camera. It is like a shoe. If you try it, and you say, "Awesome! But that lens sure sticks out.", or, "Hm, great price, but the battery will have to be replaced more," then it isn't worth it. I think Stephen's quip rocks the house -- if it is important to you, the form factor is the most significant term in the equation.

And if you want it all, then try them all and spend $3500 if need be. Don't forget the third cardinal rule: "You can't take it with you".

But doesn't the "it" you can't take with you include photographs? :)

Yes, but photos aren't for the afterlife. They are for BEFORE you go.

What is more useful on your deathbed:

One thousand one dollar bills.

or

One thousand pictures of loved ones.

A very loaded question, to be sure (my answer: whosa hell cares, it's my DEATH BED). But I tend to think unlike others.)

Your call.

Ah, yes, shutter lag. I forgot that one. :-)

I really don't care so much about time between exposures, but low shutter lag should be on my list, too.