We had a Nikon Coolpix that quit holding a charge even after replacing the battery. The camera would just lock up. We were headed to Belize and wanted to be sure to have a reliable camera.

After considerable research we ended up buying a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. We travel with only carry-on luggage, so the camera fit the bill of something small but with good features. We did a lot of hiking and it worked great.

I have a Canon Rebel XSi and like you, did not want to lug it through Washington DC last year. After tons of research and asking around, especially with flickr friends who KNOW cameras, I got an Olympus XZ-1. http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Digital-Camera-3-Inch-Monitor/dp/B004HO59LK Looks like the price has come down. I paid $500.

What sold me on it was the fast 1.8 lens and its small size.

With the fast changes in technology though, who knows what's the greatest one this year!

Good info and yes, it's amazing how the technology keeps upping the power and reducing the size of cameras.

My wife and I used to lug two bags for big film cameras and we had some huge lens (at least in hindsight ) - and now pretty much use a small digital, and I still have a small film camera with a good zoom lens that I once in a while drag along.

The digital I bought for her about 6? years ago was leading edge - 8 MP and a 5x zoom - and a it was a Christmas clearance special/bargain with a very good lens at around $200. Think it was at a Ritz camera shop - over in Palm Desert actually.

But it is also a battery eater. At Fry's here in SD (as well as Costco, BestBuy etc) - they have a number of small digitals under $100 - all with 14 or more MP and 6x or more zoom. You can also pay more for more features, etc.

Will ask more questions and do more research about the reliability of these minis - so thanks for the tips on the Panasonic Lumix (like Panasonic TV's but haven't bought their cameras.)

We are usually more Nikon orientated and thanks for the warning about the Coolpix - and also will check out Olympus more.

Hey - there's so much good stuff out there now it's hard to know what really is the best.

Tom,
I too was leery of a Panasonic camera, but it got good review and cost under $200. My Nikon only lasted 2 years! But...I'm not quite the camera buff you seem to be, so I'm not sure what your parameters are...LOL.

I am also looking at the panasonic lumix dmc-fz150. any thoughts?

Well, my wife is really more the camera buff - aqain - traditionally a Nikon fan - but her father (engineer type) also liked Canon and he had some great stuff too.

What I want now is just a small, easy to carry digital camera that has about a 25 to 200 mm type lens capability, which the 7x/8x zoom power seems to give. And that is pretty much the same for her most of the time (once in a while we will lug the old gear when really want a lot of good photos) - and I/we appreciate your market review/feedback.

What I don't like is the delay when snapping a pic with the lesser priced digitals - but they tell me it's getting quicker with new technological advances.

I have been a fan of the Canon Is series--the rotatable panel is great for above the head shots, etc.
BUT I recently got a Pentax Optio for less than $150. I broke two of my usual mantras--I prefer a viewfinder to using the LCD panel, and I prefer a non-proprietary battery. I am pretty much in love with this small pocket camera--16MP and big optical zoom. There is a truly user friendly menu display for quickly changing modes.

I love the Panasonic Lumix. I was going to get one a few years ago and then talked myself into a Sony, since that's what my previous camera was. My Sony W-series is a very good compact camera, but I have regretted not getting the Panasonic. When I upgrade in the near future, you can bet I'll be looking closely at it again!

I like to use dpreview.com to read comments and reviews, and to compare features.

Thanks for the replies! I ordered the canon xs40. can't wait to get it and play around

I mean sx40 :<

Just checked at Costco and Fry's today. The Costco guy said only Canon and Nikon still make their own lens - although another manufacturer at Fry's (forgert - Panasonic was it ) had a Leica lens.

Fry's has a lot more selections - and the gal at Fry's said the only glass lens is in Canon - which gives a little better picture than plastic.

She also said they haven't had any bad reports on Nikon - but who knows for sure?

Now - all of this still has to be checked out more thoroughly for my edification - but for around $100 - or less - it seems like you can still get a heck of a lot of digital camera today - 14 to 16 MP and 5X plus zoom.

Certainly enough for most situations.

Sillybilly,

You're either into photography or not.

If you used a Canon XT (300) then it's time to upgrade to a current model.

I had that camera and upgraded 2 years ago to a T2i. It's the same camera (with a few minor changes (such as an ISO button), a great viewing screen and great high ISO performance giving clean images at high ISOs such as 3200 (above that I usually clean them).

For a DSLR canmera it's not heavy and you're not lugging much. I use one lens (a Canon 15-85) unless I'm out looking for wildlife.

The results are worth it.

The guy at Costco was wrong...Olympus makes their own lenses and they are well known for their quality. I second the suggestion of the Olympus XZ-1...a large sensor in a small camera with a fast lens. Got a great review from DPReview as well.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/OlympusXZ1/

if you have a Canon, I would stay with Canon .. the same photo processing software you have will be updated and the filing system will be the same as well. I take a small Canon for easy carrying and the nicer newer 60D for special photos .. hava great time !!