Compact advice please?

[scabzilla]

Hey guys! Im new to the world of cameras and so i thought i should seek some advice!

Im looking at purchasing a compact digital camera, with a wide-ish lense and a good zoom etc.

I have been considering the following 3 models and didnt know which is the better of them? Or if there are any others i should be considering also. Looking to spend £200-£250 and dont want an SLR as they are a little too blucky for what i want. The models are;

Panasonic DMC-FX550, Sony Cybershot DSC-WX1 and the Canon IXUS 120 IS

What are peoples experiances/opinions on these cameras or suggestions on similar/better ones. Thanks for any replies!

Chay!

[chris-p]

Hi Scabzilla (wonderful handle BTW!)

For your £200-£250 budget I would buy one of the following:

Canon Powershot SX200 IS. It comes in black, blue or red, costs around £240, does HD video and has a 12x zoom which starts at 28mm (usefully wide).

Panasonic DMC-TZ7. It comes in black, silver, red or brown, costs about £260 (so a fraction over budget), does HD video and has a 12x zoom which starts at an even more helpful 25mm.

Panasonic DMC-TZ6. Basically the same as the TZ7 but whithout HD video recording and, therefore, cheaper at about £190.

There is nothing wrong with the other cameras you've mentioned per se but for your money and the list of things you want (wide angle lens, good zoom and not too big) these are the best options on the market.

If it was me, I'd buy the TZ7. I know it's a tenner over budget but it's worth it - a corking little camera.

[scabzilla]

Hey! Thanks Chris, i will take a look at ur suggestions, much appreciated with them

[m1cdq]

maybe to swing your choice I belive you can run chdk on the sx200 which will open a lot more possabilities for the camera

[chris-p]

You can chkdk the SX200 but Canon won't like it... (!)

[photosbylesley]

I've just got a Canon Powershot S90 which retails online at around £450 but I got for £299 from Mathers, reduced from £350. It has the 28mm wide angle. Zoom is not as good as the others you mention though but it does have all the controls a DSLR has. The control ring on the front allows you to adjust settings too. It is lightweight and would fit in a pocket.