Best cheapish (GBP/USD 250ish) P&S digital?

<p>I'm sure this question has been asked several times, but

manufacturers seem to release new point & shoot digital models

every few weeks and I'm overloaded with information and reviews and

need some help choosing!</p>

<p>So I'm asking for your help and opinions in choosing a 'good' but

fairly cheap digital P&S camera. It will be a secondary camera to

my 350D, for when my girlfriend and I can't be bothered to carry the

SLR.</p>

<p>Things that are important to us:

<ul>

<li>Physical size and construction - it'll be thrown in a bag

basically everywhere we go.</li>

<li>Image quality - it'd be nice to be able to make decent 12x8"

prints, or at least 9x6". I presume we can't just judge on megapixels

these days as the megapixel values keep going up and up but the

individual sensors must be becoming smaller and smaller... which

brings me to...</li>

<li>Acceptable low light/mid-high ISO performance - taking it

'everywhere' will include parties, restaurants, homes, etc.</li>

<li>Ability to be put in a waterproof case to carry around my neck

on the beach and not have to worry about it.</li>

</ul></p>

<p>If anyone can make any recommendations of cameras that are

definitely worth looking at, which aren't too expensive (I'm thinking

about GBP 100-200ish, which probably translates to about USD

150-300(?)), I'd really appreciate your help.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

Have you considered the Fuji F10?

It is 6MP but dpreview said it has more resolution than most 7MP compacts.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf10Zoom/

It also has usuable ISOs upto 1600 -upto ISO800 the images are relatively clean. It is the only currently AVAILABLE compact that has such a good high ISO performance.

It is available for around 235GBP online.

Alternatively consider the 5MP Pentax Optio WP which is slim and waterproof down to 1.5 metres.

There is also the 4MP Optio 43WP which takes AA batteries and is also waterproof but to a lower standard than the Optio WP.

Not waterproof, but I am having lots of fun with a Nikon Coolpix. Tiny and they have excellent lenses, some have ED glass. The smaller

ones like the 7600? can do up to 7MP for about $350, Others are less cash and MP. Great flash system and very easy to learn.