H.S. wrote:
Hello,

I am looking for a P&S going to be a gift for a relative of mine. I am
looking for a battery-included (Li ion), at least 6 MP, reasonably good
picture quality and costing around $110 (in Canada) camera. There is
some leeway in the price. If the lens starts from 28mm, all the better.
Also, ease of use and no complicated controls are desired (the user is
not familiar with camera controls). So cameras in which menus are needed
for even routine typical touristy picture taking sessions are something
I want to stay away from.

Some of the ones I am looking at a
Nikon Coolpix 8MP Digital Camera (L18)
Fujifilm Finepix F480 8.2MP
Nikon Coolpix P50
Nikon Coolpix L16
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W110

I wanted to know of people can comment on these and if somebody can
suggest other models to look at. Obviously, given the constraints I
mentioned above, a camera with shorter shutter lag and good picture
quality is desired.

Thanks.


For an ultra-compact with a wide angle lens, look at the Sony Cyber-shot
DSC-W170. This is presently the only sub-compact with a Li-Ion battery,
wide-angle lens, optical viewfinder, and image-stabilization. Alas, it's
$225 (US).

Also look at the Fuji FINEPIX J150W, which has the 28mm wide-angle lens,
but lacks image-stabilization, lacks an optical viewfinder, and lacks
af-assist.

Personally I'd get the Canon A590 IS, and buy them some Eneloop
batteries and a charger. While Li-Ion batteries are highly desirable, at
the low end like that you're getting a very de-featured model in that
price range. Forget about the 28mm as well.