Point and Shoot in the $100 range? ** Bought the Canon PowerShot SD1200IS.

[olds]

Wife wants to get the 17 year old granddaughter (no pics) a point and shoot in the $100 range. Something that has a rechargeable battery.
Any recommendations?
TIA

UPDATE

Thanks for the input. We ended up with theCanon PowerShot SD1200IS.
It was in stock and has the rechargeable battery.
It’s for her 18th birthday. She specifically told her mom she wanted point and shoot and a rechargeable battery,
She doesn’t know she is getting it so we/her mom didn’t take her out to hold them.

 

[fantolay]

I was just in the same boat as you. I saw a Samsung TL100 at the local Best Buy onsale for about $110. Despite the heavy discount, the reviews claimed it took really crummy photos, so I returned it.

I previously owned a Kodak 1066, which was magnificent. However, Best Buy where I had a gift card to no longer carries it. For this reason, I went with the Canon SD 1200 IS. It is superb! The reviews on amazon and best buy are very true. It takes excellent photos. The one complaint I have is the when focusing it gets kinda noisy? Maybe I am just picky. Anyway, I am happy with it.

 

[Tiamat]

I've had good luck with panasonic cameras. Lz8 or lz10 are close to the 100$ range.

Some good alternatives are in the top sections of the guide "Entry Level Point and Shoots":

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=272333

While they run on standard AA batteries, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to use AA-rechargables. (or did you specifically want the Li-ion planar-dimensioned batteries?)

 

[olds]

She doesn't want to keep buying batteries. I am thinking of buying her a charger and batteries if we don't get a camera with a rechargeable battery.

 

[Tiamat]

She doesn't want to keep buying batteries. I am thinking of buying her a charger and batteries if we don't get a camera with a rechargeable battery.

Its hard to find a Li-ion battery equipped entry-level digi at 100$, but if you are willing to buy rechargable batteries (with the chargers), my bro uses the Sanyo Eneloop Batteries from Costco. Costco also sells Duracell Ni-MH rechargable batteries.

I dunno if you are buying the camera as a "surprise", but it often helps to have the person hold the cameras (different hand sizes make different point and shoot cameras uncomfortable/comfortable). Some cameras have "bulges" in the wrong places for certain hand sizes.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Do things like "size" and "cuteness" matter?

If not, the Panasonic Lumix LZ8 for $99/shipped from Buy.com seems the way to go, along with rechargeable AA's + charger.

Is she strictly a "point-n-shoot" type, or does she wish to delve a little bit into more photographic control?

Edit: The newly released Fuji FinePix J250 goes for around $130, has a larger 3" LCD, and includes a rechargeable battery w/charger. No reviews on it yet, but I'd bet dollars to donuts it's at least competent.

Both the Fuji & Panny have image stabilization, which IMO is a lovely feature.

 

[jjmIII]

Canon PowerShot SD1200IS

Bought for my wife. We both realkly like it....$150 tho'

 

[olds]

Thanks for the input. We ended up with the Canon PowerShot SD1200IS.
It was in stock and has the rechargeable battery.
It’s for her 18th birthday. She specifically told her mom she wanted point and shoot and a rechargeable battery,
She doesn’t know she is getting it so we/her mom didn’t take her out to hold them.