Newbie with a which camera for me question?

I need/want some help! :) First off I own a Coolpix 11 - which is ok
but has some issues - (IE, does not do well with low light, takes
long time to take pictures ect.) so now I am looking for something else ---

I really want to stay away from the bigger DLR camera's -
1) because I am "new" at this whole manual mode
2) because of how and when I use it
and 3) because I don't have any intention on taking a course on
learning how to use it any time soon. I am afraid lots of the settings
would get lost.

I am just looking for something simple, that will give me good
pictures of my kids (and for my business).

What I take pictures of most is, active toddlers and children.
Babies, and I also take pictures of scenes too, but not as much
as with the kids. I am often taking pictures in low light, indoors
More so than pictures of them outside - though we do outside

I love the idea of point and shoot - the one I have has lots of
things I would change but I love being able to carry it with me
quickly and easily. I also would love to be able to have a manual
mode, for if I want to make the background blury to make the
img pop - or do similar things such as that. IF I can learn
how to do that - anyone have a good camera course LOL!?

Anyway, I am looking for something that will go well with these things,
with out a ton of lag, I know lag (unless you get a big costly camera)
is something that will always be there, but right now my camera takes
at least, I feel like it does, takes a long time - and when your
taking candids of kids, or babies - that lag to save the picture then
refocus is frustrating.

I would like to spend around 200 bucks, but to get the best for what I
can, and what I need I am willing to go up to 300 - (Money is a big
issue, I am a single mom with a limited income).

I have looked at these brands so far - as well as a few fugi (I actually
had a fugi and it broke, after only 6 months so I am fearful that will
happen again - I ended up getting it fixed which cost more than the
camera - so want to avoid that if possible but will get another if
that's what will be best for me and this situation).

Canon Powershot SX100 IS
Canon Powershot A650 IS
Canon Powershot A720 IS
Canon Powershot A95

I like them all, they all have good reviews from everything I read -
but I need a hands down, what's better for what *I* need -

Thank you SOO much for your advice, I REALLY appreciate it, up to this
point I have gone to a store, and after looking at them for less than
5 minutes just picked something - sometimes that worked, some that I
did not like as well, like this camera I have now - and the one I just
bought my daughter for Christmas (well don't get me started on that!)

Thanks,
Jenn

Of your candidates, I believe I would vote for the A720 first, and then the SX100, and be sure--you want "IS". Although I do not have experience with these specific models, my wife has the A540 (no IS!) and I have the S3 IS. She, too, complains much about shutter lag, and my biggest delay is flash charging time. I don't think you can get rid of shutter lag in a Point & Shoot camera, but there are some things you can do to reduce it, although they all require study and practice. Some of these things are (1) don't use the flash; (2) don't use the LCD screen; (3) don't use "A" mode: at least select the aperture or shutter speed; (4) prepare for your shot: setup your focus and exposure with button halfway down and then watch for the shot through the camera; (5) set the "exposure lock" (I believe it is called) if the camera has it, and you can shoot several shots at about the same range without the camera having to adjust; (6) and finally, use the multi-shot feature to take several shots quickly when you press the button. Nothing will replace the old instamatic instantly ready, but then then these cameras do a lot more for you.

Sorry to be so long-winded... hope this helps.

Honestly I dont know if I want/need IS - never had it LOL dont know if I need or want it now - thank you so much for your remarks and advice - it seems so far everyone is leaning towards that same camera - I read the reviews on Amazon and one woman had a rough time with it, due to it not taking good pictures of her kids - I guess that really scared me since that's what I am looking for LOL :)

Believe me! You DO want Image Stabilization! If you've never used it, you don't know what you're missing. If I had known what I know now when I bought my wife's camera, I would have gotten a different one. I don't think I would worry about the A720 not taking good pictures. Even the smaller A540 does a terrific job when there is enough light, or when using a flash, or if using a tripod in lower light. The A720 has to be better. To see some of my wife's pictures with the A540, visit http://rsvp.smugmug.com/CSB/328761.

Oh, yeah... and here are two more recent shots...
http://gallery.photographyreview.com...3-42-12-C2.jpg
http://gallery.photographyreview.com...4-44-42-C2.jpg

Amazing - that little boy is soo beautiful!

OK SO yes LOL I do want IS! :)

Do you know, I have searched and there seems to be conflicting things I am reading - does the A720 have movie mode? I like to take short videos sometimes of the kids, being silly - and I saw that one site seems to say it does but then another I was looking on did not say anything about it.

Thanks a ton for your help!

Yes, it does have a movie mode, and I'm amazed at how well these little Canons do, especially with the sound. Here's an example of one I shot with my S3 IS, and the A720 should be every bit as good... of course, you would probably want a better subject...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wcUQX1P9aCU

The A720 is a nice camera. I have purchased two of them. One for Robin and the other for my daughter.
But it does have shutter lag. Most P & S in your budget will. Saying this it's not the worse for lag but wanted you realize this.
The A720 does have a movie mode. My daughter has used it.
My daughter and a friend went to the mall. The two put on a hat and she held the camera at arms length. This photo was very good for the light available.

Rovowen - I know that they all will have lag - but I actually timed my camera - from the time I started taking a picture - for it to focus (I had to focus 3 times to get it to focus in I would say "natural light" - front living room this afternoon with blinds open and lights on) - it took over 30 seconds to focus, take the picture and for the camera to be ready to take another picture.

To me, that seems crazy long, maybe it's just me. It also has no way to manually play with the focus, what it gives you is all you get - which is one thing I am really looking forward to! :)

I have it ordered, should be here sometime next week, I am SOO excited!

Oh and thank you so much for all your advice! I really appreciate it!

I shouldn't have read this thread. Now I want an A70. They're not that expensive I see and I've been wanting a smaller camera at times.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Frog

I shouldn't have read this thread. Now I want an A70. They're not that expensive I see and I've been wanting a smaller camera at times.

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Let me make sure I got the right frog! Is this the same guy that wanted a D300 a week ago? Inquiring minds want to know, Jeff

lol.....I want just about everything I read about, Jeff.

Why recommendation earlier for the Canon Powershot A720 IS rather than the Canon Powershot A650 IS?

I'm curious, because I just saw the A 650 for the first time at Costco, and it's features are very appealing.

Lag is no issue. I take many seconds to minutes between shots.

Have been thrilled with my Canon S1 IS for several years, and can use it's x10 zoom for backup. Showing some wear, but it's old 3.2 megapixels have done well. But I want to keep it as the spare.

Then there is this other camera I learned about:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3K
7 megapixels and 10 zoom

Feedback on both - Canon and Panasonic.

Thanks.