need help choosing camera

[charr5]

Hey everyone,
I know this is a Canon board but this is a question for a family member in regards to a x-mas present.
My father is looking for an "compact" digital camera.
I've never looked at these before, so can anyone give me some direction. I posted already on the compact board, but no help.
These are some of the ones he has looked up so far:

-Pentax Optio 550
-Canon Powershot s400
-Sony DSC P10
-Minolta Dimage F300

Any other suggestions?
Any pros and cons of these?
I need some inside info!

Thanks everyone..
CMH

[phidong]

I've had a Pentax Optio 330 and Canon S50 point and shoots. I'd prefer Canon over Pentax anyday. I'm not sure about now, but the Canon LCD produces a much brighter crisper image that is enjoyable. My Pentax Optio 330 broke on my after a yr and I sent it in after my warranty period and they still fixed it because IT WAS A MFG defect!@ Horrible. When I got it back I had already purchased my S50 and contemplated keeping both, but I decided the Canon felt much nicer, took better pictures, and had a crisper LCD. The Pentax is blocky ...

I'm not sure about now, but I'm quite a Canon fan and can tell you that your dad will be happy with the s400. I would definitely say, though, that you shouldn't just take any opinion here as a final word. I would go down to best buy or something (don't talk to the people, they'll try to sell you some camera you don't need), but pick each one up and play with it. If someone comes up and asks if you need help, don't just say "i'm just looking" because they'll keep asking you if you're ready to be serviced.. let them know you're looking for a specific camera and you're comparing the ones you are considering buying.. and they might give you better feedback. :)

[Vegas Poboy]

Before I got the cash to purchase the 10d I was going to get the Canon G2 or G3 both pretty good with lots of features. Take a look @ www.cnet.com and look @ all of the reviews for cameras