Point and Shoot Suggestions

I'm looking for a small point and shoot digital camera for my wife. She has no interest in anything other than making snapshots so large files are not required or even desired. Any suggestions on such a camera that functions well and is dependable?

Jim, find a Canon G3 - an awesome 3MPx camera and all of your software will work with it (breeze browserm Adobe Raw etc). Since its been replaced by the 5MPx version, they can be had a huge discount

I'm pretty sure the G3 is a 4 megapixel camera. I have a G2 and I was under the impression that it was a 4 megapixel camera. By the way, I love my G2.

The most frustrating thing about small (non-dSLR) digicams is the autofocus. Most of them are dreadfully slow and bad to lock on. One of the very few with a decent AF system that is also small is the Sony V1. I suspect there will be a new crop out soon with good AF, but until then it's buyer beware!

Yes you are correct. The G3 is actually 4 MPx - my mistake.

You can even use your 550EX on a G3.

Thanks Guys,
I think the G3 is a but of overkill for Carol. She really just wants something for snapshots. 4x6 prints are just about all she wants. For anything else we have my cameras.

All great info and I may consider it as it might make a good pocket camera for me when I'm not able to have my gear with me

I have the little Canon A20 that's just a 2.1MP pocket-sized camera. Simple to use, minimal controls. Probably discontinued now since it's almost 2 year old model but there must be something comparable out there in the Canon line.

The biggest problem with small digital point and shoots is the time it takes to take an image. Most are in the .75 to 1.25 second range to focus and shoot. Some are even worse.

The number of digital P&S cameras that can shoot faster than .75 seconds I could probably count on one hand. If this would be important to your wife, I'd suggest scouring DPReviews "Timing and Performance" pages for it's review of all the cameras. Or Imaging-Resources' "Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests" page.

Two years ago, Sony's DSC-S50 rated as one of the best with only a .75 second full auto focus and a very peppy .22 second response with prefocus. Today, only a few camera are this fast and most are not pocket size. (or small) The only camera I remember off the top of my head in the non-interchangeable lens category that seemed peppier than my S50 was the Sony DSC-F828 which is only beat out by the dSLRs.

She might be better off with a D100 or a 10D with a small prime lens.

My wife has the Canon S45 5megapixels (not that it really matters)
I don't find it too bad for speed, and it's small and convenient.

I do notice with the image noise, because I'm so used to the D30/10D cmos.

A friend of mine purchased the small Nikon Coolpix 4500 for his college age daughter. She loves it. The small size makes it easy to carry around and the swivel lens allows photography from unusual positions and in awkward conditions.