Recommend me a camera.

Hi all,

I'm after a new camera I like the idea of DSLR but don't want to carry it around so a compact will have to do, budget £200-£300 must haves are good at low light pics with a good optical zoom 8+ preferably 12+, not too bothered by HD recording although it would be nice but mainly must take an excellent pic, 3D not bothered by it as feature, quick focus would be nice.

http://www.dpreview.com/
loads of info here

[pookie]

have a look at sony hx9 and canon sx230. I have the sony and was making similar decision a couple months back.
Cameras I considered were panny tz20, sony hx9, canon hs230, Nikon 9300

[embee]

My old one died last autumn so I had to get something new. Ended up with a Canon Ixus 220HS. The price has dropped since then, and I reckon it's very good value for money. Very quick start up, quite decent pics, not perfect but good enough. Optical zoom isn't huge at 5x, but starts at 24mm equivalent so good wide angle scene shots. Very small camera, nice to slip in a pocket.

I think the small Panasonics generally tend to do a little better in low light and there are some models with huge optical zoom range. There were some issues with not being able to get non-branded spare batteries at one time IIRC, but maybe that's been sorted (pattern spare battery for the Ixus was a few quid on the 'bay and works fine).

Things are continually changing so I imagine there are a raft of newer models available by now.

I bought my girlfriend a Panasonic Lumix TZ10 a year ago, just check out the reviews, its an amazing camera, 12x optical too, gps, HD. Definetely gets a thumbs up from me!

http://www.trustedreviews.com/Panaso...-Camera_review