Advanced P&S Camera Buying Help!

[gmstep]

OK, I have exhausted myself reading reviews, etc. Basically, I want an advanced point & shoot. I really don't want to spend the $$ on a DSLR (I used to have some elaborate Canon or Minolta 35 mm camera back in the days of film & I was really into photography, but I stopped using it b/c of the size, etc.). Right now, I have a Sony 5.1 mp 3x zoom P&S camera. I'd like something with greater optical zoom - the increased mp isn't a big deal. I've been seriously considering a Canon S5 IS - which is 8 mp & 12x optical zoom with the ability to add lenses. My concerns with it are that ISO 400 & above photos are noisy and it is bigger than a compact P&S. I was comparing it to Canon A650 IS which is alittle less $$.

We're going to the Bahamas in April & I want to bring the new camera with us. In my perfect world, my perfect camera would be compact & have 10x and up optical zoom with great picture quality at ISO 400, etc. OK - this camera doesn't exist. Anyone have any recommendations for any other cameras or glowing endorsements for the Canon S5 IS?

TIA

[hguenthe]

Sorry, not much experience with P&S cameras these days. We have been happy with the one my husband chose for his camera though: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 (7.2Mpixels, 10X optical zoom, we think compact). I can't comment on the grain in ISO 400 pictures as pouring through mine I can't find any and we have taken pictures from outdoors under all lighting to inside dark aquariums.

If you aren't already aware of Noiseware software, you might be interested in that and then not so concerned over the noise at ISO 400 because it can clean out SOOO much noise without affecting picture quality. (There are lots of threads around here about Noiseware to learn more if you need to)

[PaulaSG]

sorry I've got nothing helpful to add other than hi Gina

[Melissa6169]

My husband has a Kodak Z650 and it is awesome. We take that everywhere and get some great shots.

You might want to take a peek at the Kodak's Z series.

[willjenni]

I'm brand new here, but I just had to comment....I got a Canon S5 for Christmas and I really love it. It struggles indoors/low light like most of them do, but outdoors and for every day use it's fantastic. I use a Speedlite 430 EX with it and that really helps out indoors also. It's a great camera.....the zoom is the reason I bought it. Good luck!

[B-Jo]

I have a Canon S3 IS, which is the older version of the S5. I really liked that camera a lot before I bought my 30 D. I think it's a great non-SLR camera. The only complaint I had with it, you've already mentioned. If you use an ISO higher than 200 even, your pictures will be noisy. But given sufficient lighting, the S5 will take beautiful photos. I don't recommend using Auto mode. It will always pick a higher ISO than necessary, resulting in noise.

If you are definitely sure you don't want an SLR, then I think the S5 would be a good choice. Let us know what you get and how you like it!