[njp]

I've just discovered that my IXUS 50 failed to survive last weekend's walking trip to the Peak district. It looks like it got crushed inside my rucksack. The LCD display shows characteristic physical damage (a rather avant-garde pattern just about visible when the camera is off, and the only thing visible when it is on - the backlight works but nothing else gets displayed, so it's not even slightly useable. The camera still functions, but without the display it's going to be somewhat hit or miss, with the emphasis on miss...

So at some point I need to decide if it's worth making a claim on my house insurance or if the camera is fixable (ideally by me, if I can source a replacement display - any views on this welcome).

However, my immediate problem is that I'm going skiing in a week's time, and I want a small camera to take with me! Normally I'd ponder over what to get for ages, but time is of the essence (especially if I buy off t'internet). So I was hoping I might pick your collective brains to simplify the process...

This is what I think I want:

Small size
Takes SD cards (I have 2 1GB Sandisk extreme III cards which I'd want to reuse)
Good low light performance (esp focussing)
image stabilisation (pref optical?)
3x zoom or better
similar video clip capability to IXUS (640 x 480, 24fps IIRC) + sound
Li-Ion rechargeable

Any suggestions? ISTR the Gadget Show enthusing over Fuji cameras recently, but I wasn't giving the item my full attention. Does anyone here share their enthusiasm?

[tontoshorse]

This and this may help.

good luck.

Doh, the Fuji isn't Is or Sd card

sorry

[waran]

ixus 800IS or Ixus 850IS

[njp]

Thank you both for your replies. It occured to me that I had myself recommended the Ixus 800is to a friend some months ago (purely on the basis of reviews and my own experience with the range). I phoned him to see what his opinion was after using it for a while, and he kindly offered to lend it to me for my holiday. So, immediate problem solved, and I get to test-drive it!

The 850is looked interesting with its zoom starting from wideangle, but the reviews didn't seem so positive overall. I'll have another look after my holiday, and also investigate repair of my broken camera.

Does anyone know if it is possible to buy spares?