Purchasing advise for Point and Shoot

I'd like some advice on a Point and Shoot digital camera. I've lurked
here for a few days and I tried to do some research before that.

What I am looking for is a Point and Shoot camera to compliment our
Digital Rebel. I'd like to use it for situations where (1) DH does not
want to bring his camera and (2) indoor situations like birthdays in
restaurants where a DSLR may feel too large. I mean, I don't want the
subject to feel like a camera is being shoved up his/her nose. I'd like
something on the small side but not tiny and I generally print 4x6 and
5x7 but will have the occasional 8x10. I am looking for about a 5
megapixal camera with a 4x optical zoom (or so) and good optics. For
that reason I was looking at the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-V1 (due to Carl
Zeiss lens) but it didn't feel right in my hands. There was not a lot
to hold on to. It seems like the Canon Powershot S50 might fit the bill
(3x zoom though) and the Nikon Coolpix 5400, Olympus Camedia C505, Canon
S500. The Canon G5 seems really nice on paper but it is on the large
side. What are your thoughts? Am I more or less on the right track?
Any additional suggestions or concerns?

 

Why not stick with the Canon line? You get the same storage media as
you do with the DR and you stay with a similar menu philosophy. The
Canon A70/A80 comes to mind. My friends who have them find them very
versatile and they seem to share well between people who are very
knowledgable photographers and those who are strictly interested in
P&S.

Regards,
Roger

 

Check out the nikon cp 3700,
A great little camera

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/nikon3700.html

 

It doesn't appear to meet my requiremetns (4-5 MP, 3-4x optical zoom).
Why do you feel that this would be a better option that the Nikon 4300
or 5400?

 

Last night I saw a Canon Powershot S50. I liked the way that it felt
and, like you said, it does have the advantage of having very similar
controls/layout as the Digital Rebel. How do you feel about this model
(I've read the reviews but more input would be appreciated)? How do you
feel that it compares with the Olympus Camedia C5050 Zoom and the Pentax
Optio 555?

Any input would be appreciated!

 

Also, how do you feel about shutter lag on these models (C5050, Optio
555 and Powershot S50)?

 

Well, I have a clie so that's not an issue for me but it may be for others.

They have seen the light, and their

Thanks a bunch!

Great! Thanks again!