Please help me pick a camera

[mjh]

I'm really just looking for something small and portable, so all the extra snazzy features are not necessary. Something that I can fit in the back pocket when out for a quick jog or bike ride.

Recommendations/thoughts?

Aside from the Casio and Fuji, what else should I be looking at? Preferable price range is ~$200-300.

Cheers!

 

[episodic]

I wouldn't get the f40 - lots of complaints on it - however right now the F20 is an excellent deal at much less than 200$

http://www.dpreview.com/review...rodkey=fuji_finepixf20

My second thought for sheer portability would be the Canon SD1000 Powershot
http://www.dpreview.com/review...Canon/canon_sd1000.asp

Casio's is real cool too, but I have a different model in mind Casio Exilim EX-V7 - they don't have an extending lens, it is sealed - yet yields a 7x OPTICAL zoom - which is impressive
http://www.dpreview.com/review...s/Casio/casio_exv7.asp

Fuji will beat the other 2 indoors - but the other 2 will beat fuji outdoors. . .

My complaint with the f20 (when I had it) was that you had to dial back the exposure comp so much out side to prevent blown highlights that you ended up having to post process alot of the shots. Indoors the f20 was like smoooth butter - especially at night and dimly lit areas. . .

I'd read the reviews for the canon and the Casio Exilim EX-V7 I mentioned. . .

Looks like price wise - all three meet your needs with the Casio being the most, then the canon, then the fuji. . .

 

[Aharami]

go for the fuji f31fd over the f40. same size sensor but less mpixels...thus less noise. Just got this camera couple days ago. Im impressed so far. low light performance is better than my Canon S3IS...even with S3's IS on. Blows the canon away on higher ISO shots. Also Fuji currently has a $30 rebate going for this.
http://www.fujifilmrebates.com...tem.aspx?productID=136

Got it + 1 gig type H xD card from amazon.
$239 - f31fd
$24.69 - xD card
-$30
----------
233.69 total.

Ordered it June 1st.
Card arrived June 5th (from amazon.com)
Camera arrived June 6th (from Complete Photo USA)

 

[ted61]

Thanks for replies epsodic and Ahrami. The post was put up for me before I found out that Dailytech and Anandtech are the same. My user name for Dailytech works here.

I went with the Casio EX-Z1050 becuase it looks easy to use. I don't want any manual features and has an SD card. The Fuji sounded too complicated for me and the Canon lost by a nose.

I read over the links and reviews a few times to eliminate the Fuji. I picked the Casio over the Canon for no real reason other than. "Looks like price wise - all three meet your needs with the Casio being the most, then the canon, then the fuji. . . "

Now I have to wait for my shiny new camera with 2 gig sd card and spare battery. Reviews can be so handy.