Each of the following offers an excellent value for quality/features. I will keep this post updated (Updated July 1, 2010) with my current recommendations. If you are looking for specific features ask me on twitter @camerarec or send me an email and I would be happy to  recommend something specific to your needs.

A note about Mega Pixels (MP). No longer should you choose one camera over another because it has more MP. Recently some camera manufacturers have reduced the number of MPs in order to increase low light performance. The SD400 and S90(both listed below) are two 10MP cameras that offer excellent low light performance for a P&S.

Super Budget
Panasonic Lumix LZ8K 8MP 5x Zoom Lots of features, easy to operate and image quality is excellent.

BudgetCanon PowerShot SD1300 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver) Lacks some of the frills of the other cameras but provides the Powershot reliability and excellent image quality in a variety of situations

Mid Level
Panasonic Lumix ZS7 12 MP 12x Zoom 3.0-Inch LCDHuge Zoom, HD video recording and excellent image quality in a form factor that slips into a pocket.

Between these twoCanon PowerShot SD4000 10MP 3.8x ZoomVery similar to the S90 below but with HDvideo. You lose the slick control scheme and a tiny bit of low light performance. But if you are looking for a traditional P&S form factor with excellent quality in video and stills this camera is hard to beat!

High end
Canon PowerShot S90IS 10MP 3.8x Zoom Extremely high quality images with very little noise, even at higher ISOs, almost DSLR like quality. Genius control scheme lets you have as much or as little control over manual shooting.

Hope this helps and please let me know if you have any questions.

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CES saw a slew of new camera, new camera technology and accessories announced this year. I highlight some of the more interesting below.

The megapixel race has slowed and dare I say plateaued (this is a good thing) with camera manufacturers focusing on new features and better low light performance. Sure a good number of the models announced feature 14MP but we have been there for over a year now and some models announced are still at 10MP. Don’t get starry eyed about these 14MP cameras. Personally I would take a quality 10MP sensor, or even 8MP sensor over 14MP any day.

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• 10.1 MP & RAW File format
• 2.5x wide-angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized lens
• 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD screen
• HD video capture
• Manual control options

This camera is consistently mentioned as one of THE BEST point and shoots you can buy. DPReview.com Highly recommends the camera based on its image quality and lower light performance. The noise levels are very low and almost rival some DSLRs. The wide lens plus the maximum aperture of f2.0 allows for great low light performance. Overall reviewers at both DPReview.com and Amazon are very pleased with the image quality. With the ability to capture RAW images and full manual control you have an almost DSLR like camera without the bulk. However, it is still a point and shoot, and a slightly bulky one at that so you will get noisy images at the higher ISOs and you are stuck with a lens with a fairly small amount of zoom (2.5x)- The majority of complaints concern the lack of zoom.

When you look at image quality and performance this is one of the best, if not the best point & shoot cameras you can buy.

Buy the Panasonic DMC-LX3K 10.1MP

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• 8MP
• Face Detection, Intelligent ISO, Intelligent Scene Selector & quick AutoFocus
• Easy mode and Full Manual Control

A excellent camera at a very nice price. 5x zoom with optical image stabilization and intelligent ISO combine to give you blur-free photos. Face detection and scene selectors insure that the camera settings are are correctly matched to your subject(s). And finally a really nice wide-screen movie mode at 30fps, something you don't see in other cameras at this price. This camera has excellent reviews and if you use a set of good rechargeable batteries(see note below) you can get nearly 500 shots on a pair If you have someone that is trying to learn photography this camera is not a terrible place to start as it offers full manual control.

A solid performing camera at an excellent price.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8K 8MP

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• 14.7 MP
• 5x zoom and moderately wide angle lens
• Complete manual controls and RAW file format
• 3.0 inch LCD screen
• Excellent movie mode

The Canon G series has a strong history of excellence and the G10 continues the tradition. The G10 is marketed toward the advanced amateur, someone who enjoys having complete control over the creative process of using their camera. The ability to shoot in the RAW format and to be able to add an external flash like the Canon Speedlite 270EX Flash makes the camera a very powerful tool. Despite the wealth of features it remains an easy camera to use and work with. If you are moving up from a lower class point & shoot this camera will be a huge upgrade.

For the 96% of you on this site, this camera will be a fantastic and impressive camera to own and use. The other 4% need to just go ahead and buy a DSLR.

Buy Now!

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• 14.7 MP
• Face Self-Timer
• Easily fits in a pocket

The SD990IS is top of the line in Canon's ELPH series. Here is a 14.7 MP camera with Image Stabilization, Face Detection and highly praised image quality. A new feature that Canon has added this last year is the Face Self-Timer- automatically detects an increase in the number of faces and makes the appropriate adjustments. For instance, to include photographer’s face in a group shot, there’s no need to rush in. Just put the camera on a stand or tripod, and specify Face Self-Timer, and the camera will wait for the photographer’s face to get on-camera before it takes the shot. Two downsides- you don't get HD movies, the movies are limited to the fairly standard 640x480. and although I just mentioned the 14.7MP on the plus side I feel I need to list it in the negatives as well. The images produced by the camera are going to be large and you may find yourself running out of hard disk space quickly. Of course you can take photos at lower resolution in the camera, saving you room. And when you are in a situation where you feel every megapixels counts you can increase the resolution back up to 14.7.

An incredible number of megapixels, cool features and a stylish look that will easily fit in your pocket.

Buy the Canon Powershot SD990IS 14.7MP

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• 10 MP
• Serious 20x Zoom
• Swivel Screen and Hot Shoe
• Manual Control

This camera is NOT going to be slipping into any pockets anytime soon and it is nearing the limit of what I consider a mid-priced digital camera but you get an amazing zoom (20x), a swivel screen and a hot shoe (a place to stick external flashes like the Canon Speedlite 270EX Flash. These features are on top of plenty of very positive reviews on Amazon and Dpreview.com. This is a camera to get if you want the zoom and the control possible on a DSLR without the having to buy and change lenses. Note: there is also a very similarly named camera, the Canon PowerShot SX1IS For $200 more you get full HD recording, ability to shoot in the RAW format, ability to shoot faster 4fps versus 1.4fps and a tiny bit larger LCD screen. Unless you really want the HD save your money and buy for the SX10

Canon PowerShot SX1IS - HD Movies, Raw File, faster framerate ~$200 more.

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 - HD Movies, manual noise control ~$100 more. Image quality scored a 7.5/10 on Dpreview.com

If you need the a super zoom, oodles of manual controls and the ability to add an external Flash this is your camera. Actually if you need two of the three features listed this is still your camera.

Buy the Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP

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