Canon PowerShot A570 IS

Pros: Easy to operate. Automatic and scene modes produce good quality images in most conditions. 4x optical zoom instead of 3x. Optical viewfinder. Image stabilization and face detection. Uses AA batteries.

Cons: AA batteries add weight and bulk, but is a good trade off.

Summary: Canon has earned an excellent reputation for quality and the Powershot A570 IS digital camera is no exception. Although, competitors have cameras with similar technology for less, in my opinion Canon just does everything a bit better and it is worth the price. For example the camera includes an optical viewfinder, which is useful if there is a lot of glare on the LCD. Also, the camera packs a little bit more zoom, 4x optical instead of the 3x that most of the competitive landscape has. In addition to the auto and scene modes Canon gives you controls over the exposure, white balance, and shutter speed. If you just want to use it as a point and shoot, the camera usually does a great job at automatically adjusting to the shooting conditions. Although, the AA batteries add a little bit of bulk and weight, if you run out of juice for a few dollars you can pick up some spare batteries and keep on shooting. Or, if you you are going backpacking you can throw in some spare batteries. The lithium ion batteries found in the super compact cameras work great, but you are burdened with always having to recharge the batteries and when you run out of juice you are stuck. I would recommend the Canon A570 to anyone looking for a solid, easy to use camera, with a good set of features, and the option to manually control settings.