Canon PowerShot SD780 IS (black)

Pros: Very good quality pics, Very easy to Use, Auto scene mode is excellent, ability to program mode, Very Light Subcompact, non-propietary HD cable + memory card is a great plus, Excellent 720p HD video with ability to digital 5x zoom while recording

Cons: I wish it were 4x optical zoom.

Summary: What I needed a camera for:

Taking family pics.
Recording family events.
Recording youtube vids.
Macbook user.

Camera's I compared before buying:
This model, the Canon SD940, Samsung TL220, and the Sony Cybershot 290.

Although there is a newer SD940 with 4x optical zoom I chose this one because it has the optical picture viewer. The newer version 940 takes away that little optical box in order to increase the LCD from 2.5 to 2.7 inches. IMO its important to have the optical viewer because the LCD screen is not anti-glare of transitional therefore you'll need to look through the little optical viewer to take pictures if its really bright outside (which happens frequently to me)

Then I really struggled with my comparison shopping:
1) The Samsung option was ruled out because it had a plastic lens and you're just paying for the front LCD screen which isn't worth the extra $100 bucks.
2) The SD940 took away the optical viewfinder and I really did want that 4x optical zoom I'd much rather be able to always take pictures :)
3) The Sony Cybershot 290 (not 230) was my second choice. But it does not allow to record vid in Compact HD mode and doesn't allow you to zoom whatsoever while recording movies. It was also noticeably bulkier than the canon.

Bottom line: For me the following features are really what made me buy this one:
1) Great picture quality
2) Most compact and lightweight available
3) Excellent quality HD 720p videos
-Compact HDmode
-ability to use digital zoom while recording
4) Uses normal SD card for memory as well as USB cable and HDMI vs. propieritary brand etc...
5) Price wise its the best option