Need help deciding on a camera!!!

[LLPimpA]

I've never really owned a digital camera and have even less knowledge of them. I recently began searching for a digital point-and-shoot camera (8 MP or above) to bring with me to college. My price range is below $200 (preferably on amazon.com because i have credit). I want a camera that takes great, good quality pictures (1st priority), good quality and good fps videos (2nd priority), and nice optical zoom (3rd priority). The camera is going to be used mainly for still pictures and feature-film-like videos (mostly longer than 10 mins) that will be posted on the internet.

Flash reload speed, shutter speed, etc. are not of much concern although i would like for them to be the best that they can be for the camera priorities that I want (see: above). Here are of the few features i could use: Image stabilization (really want), red-eye removal (i only want if the camera has serious red-eye problems). If there are any other suggestions for features, camera effects, etc, that you think i could use or would like...please don't hesitate to say so.

The cameras that I have been looking at so far include the Canon Powershot a720, the Panasonic DMC-LS80K and the Canon SD1100. If you could find an SLR for under $200 (if one exists) with the things I need, that would be great, too. Early thanks for your help!

[Rocket_Scientist]

With your price requirement, I'd vote for the A720... but then, I know nothing about the Panosonic...

[Alison]

I have a friend who has this camera CANON PowerShot SX100 IS
She is a photographer and also has a 400D but very rarely takes that out anymore. She prefers the SX100. She has even shown me pictures she has taken with it and I'm very impressed. I'm looking into getting one too.

[Liz]

I've never really owned a digital camera and have even less knowledge of them. I recently began searching for a digital point-and-shoot camera (8 MP or above) to bring with me to college. My price range is below $200 (preferably on amazon.com because i have credit). I want a camera that takes great, good quality pictures (1st priority), good quality and good fps videos (2nd priority), and nice optical zoom (3rd priority). The camera is going to be used mainly for still pictures and feature-film-like videos (mostly longer than 10 mins) that will be posted on the internet.

Flash reload speed, shutter speed, etc. are not of much concern although i would like for them to be the best that they can be for the camera priorities that I want (see: above). Here are of the few features i could use: Image stabilization (really want), red-eye removal (i only want if the camera has serious red-eye problems). If there are any other suggestions for features, camera effects, etc, that you think i could use or would like...please don't hesitate to say so.

The cameras that I have been looking at so far include the Canon Powershot a720, the Panasonic DMC-LS80K and the Canon SD1100. If you could find an SLR for under $200 (if one exists) with the things I need, that would be great, too. Early thanks for your help!

The Powershot a720 is an excellent little camera according to all the reviews, including personal reviews. It's about $199 - BUT only if you can find it. It is discontinued and a very popular camera. I think Normancamera has it in stock.

http://www.normancamera.com/product-...Digital_Camera

The SX100 is also a great camera. You can get it at B&H for $215 - no tax if you don't live in NY and have it shipped. It is a bit heavier than the usual compacts......it's definitely not a subcompact. You can check the specifications here - and there are also 23 user reviews.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...S_Digital.html

Liz