Need a digital compact for work - recommendations?

[VladTepes]

Requirements:

MUST HAVE
Compact digital camera
10Mp (or more)
Built in flash
SD card compatible
Rechargeable (ie recharger must come with camera).
Reasonable cost (up to $250 max.)
Simple to use (idiot proof)
automatic red eye reduction (if possible)

DESIRABLE (but not essential)
viewfinder (i find these very handy in briht sunlght backlit conditions)
wide angle mode
macro mode

Need to know brand, model, approx cost and where purchase from in Brisbane (if you know these things).

Thanks all.

[abaddonxi]

My last few snappies have been Canon.

Both below are good.

Digital Camera Warehouse Australia - Discount Digital Cameras shipped Australia Wide - Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney (http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/)


DWI - Australia wide delivery - Digital Cameras, Digital SLR, Video and Camcorders online store (http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/index.asp)

[VladTepes]

Yeah I have an IXUS80 myself and its a good camera.
I'll check the links, ta.

[Ranga]

I'm soon to replace my last happy snapper that died, and intend going up to around $400 and getting a water/shock proof jobby. hopefully this will help it last a bit longer.

[VladTepes]

This one actually looks OK (aside from lack of a viewfinder)
Canon IXUS 100 IS also known as Canon IXUS100 IS Digital Cameras (http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=2133&idImage=1)
as one of its main jobs will be taking ID card photgraphs.



ranga - let me know coz I am after something like what you describe for myself for 4wding hunting etc - maybe we can get a good deal buying 2)

[dmdigital]

Avoid base model Kodaks, we have these at work and they are terrible P+S cameras.

Lumix, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Ricoh, etc... My preference is Lumix then Canon (Nikon for DSLR). Lumix have a very nice water/dust/shock proof one now but I think its over $400.

Sony tend to take Memory sticks not SD

Olympus, Fuji will often take XD cards not SD


As for Requirements:

MUST HAVE
Compact digital camera
10Mp (or more) Easy to find
Built in flash watch this as some have a very weak flash. If a guide number is quoted this is the number of m (or ft) the flash can be used at as a maximum (in simple terms). Most are 4-6m but some are 2-3m
SD card compatible Most use SD cards
Rechargeable (ie recharger must come with camera). Best option is get one that takes AA's. That way they can be rechargeable or disposable. Rechargeable is better all round but if someone in the office forgets to put it in the charger...
Reasonable cost (up to $250 max.) That's going to limit things. If you could squeeze it to $350 you'd have more range.
Simple to use (idiot proof) Most are OK. Personally I find most of the P+S menus annoying.
automatic red eye reduction (if possible) Doubt if any won't have it.


DESIRABLE (but not essential)
viewfinder (i find these very handy in briht sunlght backlit conditions) In that price range highly doubtful nowdays
wide angle mode don't just look at one's with a short zoom range. Look for ones with a very short focal length
macro mode Most have this but look at how close it will focus.

[VladTepes]

Ended up ordering a Canon IXUS 105 - thanks all for your input.
Cheers