Digital Compact Camera

[DaShi]

So I'm looking to buy a relatively inexpensive (<$250) digital compact camera. I've been looking through reviews, and played around with a Sony T90, and have been disappointed with the image quality of most of them. The problem seems to be that image sensors on these small cameras can't handle the higher megapixels of modern cameras. Which makes me wonder why these things even have so many megapixels.

I still use my Olympus C5050 and it takes great pics with only 5 megapixels. But it is a ***** to use at night and is too large to carry around casually. It has all the features listed below, which is why I sleep with it at night.

But I'd like something that I could slip into my pocket and still expect to take good pictures with on the fly. So image quality is top on my list. As good as can get for a compact.

Other features that are nice to have:
Zoom 3X+
Supports RAW format
Shutter/Aperature Priority
Can use Olympus xD cards

Any suggestions?

[David Floyd]

The only camera that can use xD cards are Olympus and Fuji cameras. Your wish list of having RAW capability AND Shutter/Aperature Priority mode is probably going to put you above your price range, as well as being too big to slip in your pocket (a full body camera, in other words, rather than a compact camera). If those two capabilities aren't mandatory, I'd go with something like the Canon SD780. It's a great camera and keeps you right around your price range.

[DaShi]

None of the other features are mandatory.

[David Floyd]

Also, don't get a touchscreen. The failure rate on those, in my experience, is awful. Plus, I hate touchscreens in general.

[Kitschum]

Buy Nikon. That's abouts all I knows about digital cameras.

[David Floyd]

That's true for DSLRs; not so much for "point-'n-shoots".

[Kitschum]

Oh ok. I only sort of glanced at the thread title before I posted.

[DaShi]

Also, don't get a touchscreen. The failure rate on those, in my experience, is awful. Plus, I hate touchscreens in general.

Yeah, the Sony I played around with had one and I hated it.

[-Jrabbit]

I recommend going to a real camera shop instead of a big box sore. I found a guy who would answer questions and let me pplay around; it very instructional. Basically, at this price level, it's all about getting the best optics. And finding a UI that doesn't annoy you.

If shooting in low light is important to you, or shooting fast motion outdoors is your thing, or doing SCU tabletop stuff, that shoot inform your choice. Basically, point-and-shoot digitals tend to be one-trick ponies. If you have a firm idea of what's important to you, your decision will be easier.

I bought mine a couple years back, so Im not up on the current market. (Mine is a Casio Exilim EX-Z850, 8.1 MP, with image stabilization. I've shot magazine covers with it.)

[Sir Og]

I like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 but I guess that it is outside of your price range. It's a great camera though and covers all your criteria.

[onodera]

Canon P&S cameras are very good. Nikon P&S are PoS.
SD940 is a very small, but good camera. SD780, if you have little money. SD880, if you can find one, is even better. Avoid "widescreen" cameras, they still take 4:3 pictures. Most P&S cameras do not support RAW, you'll need G-series Canons, for example. However, you can use CHDK with all but the newest Canon cameras.
I also would recommend Fuji, either fd or EXR series. F70EXR is a compact ultrazoom that can operate in 5MP mode. No RAW, though.
You also should abandon your xD cards, they are nearly obsolete.

[DaShi]

I'm going to a camera store today to take a look.

I don't plan on buying any more xD cards. I got a bunch of them cheap while in China. It would just be convenient not to have to buy new ones. xD