Need Help Please!

[Donec]

Hi everyone, I can't decide which compact digital to buy and fear I'll settle on the wrong one, the choice is mind boggling!, I fancy one from the Canon Ixus range or the Panasonic Lumix TZ4,TZ5 or FX35,I'm open to any other suggestion!, the camera will be used for wildlife shots as well as indoors etc. I have a max. spend of £180, must decide today as the Mrs is getting a list together of her needs!
Any help greatly appreciated

[James Martin]

Okay.. let's help this guy.

What are your requirements for the camera itself? That is to say, size or quality? Smaller cameras are neater and may please "her" better, but larger ones can pack in better optics (such as 10x zoom etc etc - probably handy for your wildlife".

Out of the IXUS and LUMIX, I'd go Lumix every time - they've got Leica optics in them, very good (for a compact anyway).

[Donec]

I'd prefer 'better optics' (the camera is for me, the mrs is just after spending the cash on 'anything else'!) I'm leaning towards one from the Lumix range but still unsure, I can't quite afford the latest model, so of the rest, I'm still unsure..

[Donec]

Looks like the Panasonic DMC FS20 then, read very good reviews for it so, into the breach!

[Pirate!!]

Ahoy!

FWIW, I would look at the following:

Sony DSC-H50
Canon SX100 IS or A720 IS

I wouldn't bother with the IXUS range. You stated wildlife. Not enough zoom on IXUS is there? You'll be wanting more than 3x optical zoom for that.

[Donec]

Cheers Pirate! shall be having a look at those two shortly

Thanks again

[Smiffy 2]

The TZ4/5 are great little cameras but "auto only" will soon get you feeling that you are missing out on something