Recommend me a new point and shoot.

[Gigantopithecus]

Read 996GT2's guide - thought I'd solicit the forum at large.

Here are my preferences. I like to photograph landscapes, at all times of the day. A camera that can take nice low-light landscape pictures would be great! I also would like to be able to take nice pictures of small items, from insects to bone anatomy, teeth, and fossil fragments. I take pictures of wildlife, so good optical zoom is a must. I recognize these considerations really point toward a DSLR, but that is beyond my budget of $200-300. Finally, small physical size is ideal - something I can comfortably put in my pocket.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[dougp]

Take the price hit.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+...ci_sku=1218369

 

[shortylickens]

Panasonic LX3.

 

[IronWing]

If you can stretch your price point a bit, the Panasonic LX5 is a great field camera. It is what I carry while hiking. Pretty much photographing everything you mention. It has a bit longer reach than the LX3 shorty suggested. The electronic viewfinder is a must and I highly recommend the filter adapter with polarizer for landscapes.

 

[Rottie]

There are some new cheap DSLR-like camera such as FujiFilm Finepix S2950 14MP DSLR Camera for only 209.00 and FujiFilm FinePix S2940 14MP Digital Camera $199.00 you can find them at WalMart store.
Canon S95 is good and very compact...but it is out of your budget $395.00.

 

[Kaido]

Canon ELPH 500 HS: (pocket-sized)

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_elph_500_hs

24mm wide (most "wides" are 28mm on P&S cams). 4.4x optical, plus f/2 for low-light (also see video on the HS System for low-light).

 

[drizek]

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-sho...4890836&sr=8-4

Sony cameras have a Handheld Twilight mode that takes multiple shots and then puts them together to reduce noise in low light. It works quite well, especially for something like landscapes.


There is also this, http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-W350-...4890836&sr=8-6

Faster at wide angles, more megapixels, less money. 4x instead of 10x zoom though.

My point of view is that point and shots are never going to be as good as an SLR, so you should always try and waste as little money on one as possible.

Also, the Olympus EPL-1 is available for $365 today only, and at $400 until the 15th. 12MP, should blow any PnS out of the water. But be prepared to spend some serious cash if you want a good telephoto lens or a good ultrawide angle.