Best point shoot camera for around $200?

[thatsright]

Have a DSLR but need something more portable. This is what I need:
1. Excellent Image quality.
2. Manual mode
3. Manual white balance

Would like:
Manual focus
IS/VR
wide angle

Don't care about:
pixel count 12-16mp, etc
GPS,
Video

Do the Nikon coolpix's have same menu layout as its DSLRs? That would help me out. Doesn't have to be a nikon though. Open to any brands.
At most willing to spend is about $230 or so for a new unit. Please recommend.

 

[crashtestdummy]

Are you looking to take mostly indoor or outdoor photos? Does zoom matter?

I've been pretty happy with my Panasonic ZS1 for outdoor photos, though it seems that the newer models don't seem to be getting quite the same accolades.

 

[fralexandr]

Yep the panasonic zs is probably the best series for manual controls
you should probably take a look at the panasonic zs15 and the canon sx230
the sx230 has a bit better image quality than the zs
the sx230 can do manual focusing, but can't do manual white balance
the zs can't do manual focusing, but can do manual white balance

i don't know of any nikon point and shoots other than the out of budget p300 that have manual controls
you can almost afford a refurb one though

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q311travelzoomgrouptest

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs20-tz30-review/8
The zs1-3 did reportedly have somewhat better image quality than at least the directly following models (zs7-10), but high ISO performance has improved in the newer stuff (zs15 & 20). It looks like the canon sx230 still beats it at high ISO though (about 1 stop better)