By 'ultracompact" I mean series like Casio exilim and Canon ixus. These are the features I'm looking for:

• 3x optical zoom or more

• 3 Megapixels or more

• movie lenght only limited by memory card

• full manual control

Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

[MarkE19]

I've got a now old Canon Powershot S30 that does all you require. I think the latest version of my camera is the S80.
This is a great small camera that I just fix to my belt and forget until I want to use it. So much easier to carry around than my 350D, and therefore great for a day out when you don't want to lug heavy camera equipment around with you.

Mark.

Thank you Mark for your reply. I have written on other boards but couldnt get even a single reply.

I've changed my mind on ultracompacts so the camera I'm looking for can be either ultracompact or compact. Cameras in the size of canon's A series would be OK as well.

The problem is that all canon digital cameras are limited with 1GB movie lenght, including yours and and A series and S2 and any other canon. If you put a 2GB memory card after 1GB the movie will cut off. I just checked this from that website:
http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home...ucts/index.asp

By choosing compare an easier understandable table appears showing "movie lenght".

Nikon's on the other hand mostly have no manual controls. Only the bigger ones have. I dont know what to do.

[MarkE19]

IMO the quality of video on a stills camera is very poor and therefore I don't ever use the feature. If I want to take video then I carry my video camera. It's also the same in reverse - a video camera does not IMO make a good stills camera. You really do need both to get the best for both type of picture!

Mark.

The video mode on the Canon S2 is superb, up there with a decent camcorder,

Yes the drawback is 1GB limit but its not too bad i have 2GB SD card i use it for video and pics and get on well with it