Something for the wife...

Howdy all,

I'm in need of guidance in the point and shoot world. I'd like to buy my wife a camera as part of her Christmas gift this year and and fairly stumped by the insane amount of choices out there. So that is (hopefully) where you guys/gals come in. Things I'm looking for are:

- no more than $200-$225
- compactness (doesn't have to be ultra tiny, but nothing bulky either)
- doesn't need to be a super-zoom (3x - 5x is fine)
- doesn't necessarily have to be a Canon
- amount of bells and whistles is pretty irrelevant

Thanks so much in advance!

According to your specifications, I'd say one of the elph's (elv's?) are in order.

The ELPH 300 is quite slim, with a 24mm lens and a x5 zoom.
It has super simple handling - with an auto-mode and a not-%100-auto-mode.
Using it can be done using only the on/off, zoom, shutter and video buttons.

Another option is the ELPH 310, which will provide a larger zoom at the cost
of a narrower lens on the wide end - 28mm instead of 24mm.

If she likes touch-controls, the ELPH 500 is a very good option -
with a 24mm lens and a large aperture - better for indoor/evening shots.

All those models are on large rebates - it will be a good idea to get them soon.

-eyalg

x2 for one of the new ELPH HS cameras, the 300 HS is a good suggestion, I bought my parents a 100HS ($150 Canada price). They all have the same sensors I believe and good IQ with CMOS sensor.