On a recent trip to New Zealand we discovered that dropping our point and shoot in the dust didn't extend its life. I am looking for a replacement as a Christmas present. Can anyone suggest cameras to check out. We have two decent SLRs, so this camera would be for the times when carrying a bulky SLR isn't practical, but it would be nice to have the option of cleaning up a point and shoot shot well enough that it would not be embarrassing to submit it here.

I would recommend a Panasonic Lumix LX-3 without hesitation. Tack sharp, good features, real 24mm, and with the external viewfinder a real pleasure to use.
There are some newer models available in this category, like the Lumix DMC-GF1, the Canon G11 not to mention all the brands, but the LX3 has the advantage of a fully retractable lens which makes it really a camera for your pocket. Nikon Coolpix S series and Fuji also have some appealing models but as far as I know, only the LX-3 offers a 24mm wide-angle. It is also well made, even though I use mine since more than a year I still find myself fumbling with the camera just to take pleasure in its solidity.

I have the Panasonic Lumix LX3 (a.k.a. Leica D-Lux 4). I like it a lot. Some say the great little Leica lens is the best part, some say it's too small a zoom range...
And it's a bit pricey.

Thanks for the advice. This looks like a great camera! I'll have to find a store around here that has one to look at it. Do you find that the 60mm zoom is a limitation?

Judged by Martin's gallery, a 24-60 zoom seems to be perfectly enough for most of his motives. Long zooms in compact cameras are only good to photograph the giraffe's head in the zoo anyway :))



It's certainly not enough for photographing lions during a safari, but for your kind of photography (again, judged by your images here you don't use long zooms) it shouldn't be a limitation.

Thanks again! The camera is mostly for the better half, who occasionally zooms in on people's, and sometimes giraffe's, heads. I guess she will just have to walk closer :)

Seriously, have you used yours to take pictures at, say, a family event where the objective is to document the event and have something to stick in the family album as opposed to making fine art images? I generally use a 50mm for these purposes, so I expect it will work just fine, but it doesn't hurt to check.

I hate to promote my blog here - sorry - but most of my everyday snapshots were made with the LX3.
Here is a portrait taken with the Lumix: http://balazspataki.1x.com/photo/15112/1080/
And here an OE reject (maybe deservedly rejected?):

I've heard great things on the Canon S90, which uses the same sensor than the much bulkier G11. If you are more interested in small size than in small price, you could also check out the micro 4/3 offerings from Panasonic and Olympus, namely the GF-1 and EP-1.

Answers the question :) Thank you, Balazs!

Yep, works great!! AND you have 720p 24fps HD video immediately available. The video is quite nice for the size and price of the camera. WAYYYY better than the Nikon D90's video (which sucks big time)!!

Hi :-)

What about the Canon Powershot D10, then you also get the ability to go under water :-)

http://www.canon.dk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_D10/index.asp

/Wulff

I haven't tried it, but I like the simplicity of the Canon S90, with a programmable ring around it's lens.

Ken Rockwell has an opinion about it.

Thanks, guys! I'll take a look at the Canon S90 and D10 as well, although the last time I bough a Canon point and shoot I wen through five cameras in as many days. They all fried their cpu after a couple of shots. Must have been a bad batch, but I tend to shy away from Canon now :)

Canon S90.

I still use my 2001 CANON IXUS 330 still. Such nice low noise 2MP images.

WOW! Who would have thought that, Richard! You using digital? :)

By the way, how about a film point and shoot? Is anyone using one?

I've got a cheap Canon Ixus 80 with the CHDK hack . It allows you to shoot raw in addition to jpg (without changing the firmware permanently), and even manual exposure time setting (if the camera had a real aperture, you could even set that manually).

I bought a Canon S90 a couple of weeks ago. Really nice. Wonderful in the way it works with it's settings (different adjustments rings). Does raw... f/2...

Haven't fried it yet...

I use the digicam for snapshots mostly..... I am using the web cam on my laptop as well....

Film P+S? Nikon Ti28 or 35....

Ricoh GX200. Get the electronic viewfinder though. I'm having a lot of fun with mine. Dunno if the picture quality is as good as the lumix but it has 12mp. 24- 72 zoom and writes RAW really quickly unlike some compacts. Worth checking out.
Jon

I have a Nikon One Touch, great little 35mm f2.8 lens. I love it!! Paid $9.95 for it on ebay!

Most of my "Walkin' Burbank" series on my blog were taken with it. A couple of examples:

http://www.clydebeamer.com/2009/10/walkin-burbank-5/
http://www.clydebeamer.com/2009/09/walkin-burbank-2/

Two shot yesterday with the Lumix LX-3:

http://www.clydebeamer.com/2009/11/a-thankful-peace/
http://www.clydebeamer.com/2009/11/a-lot-to-be-thankful-for/

I have the Canon G10 and must say I adore it. The view screen at the back is huge and love the old style look.

Main Drawback : noise at higher ISO. I try to keep mine at 80.

Main Strength : Awesome for close-ups.

Although, I do not have a lot of experience, I must say for a first camera ever, I found it very easy to use and figure out. I immediately started full manual so it gives you an idea.

There are lenses available for this point and shoot but I have not purchased them. I prefer save up for a DSLR. When I upgrade, the G10 will still be my camera purse just in case. Guess I have to buy a purse ! ;p

Here's a sample shot that had basic minor enhancement pp : http://www.digitallydevoted.com/photo/la-suerte?context=user

Once again, thank you for all the information! The G10 sounds intriguing, but I think I'll go with the Lumix. Clyde should ask them for commission :)