Canon PowerShot SX100 IS (Black)

Pros: pitcure quality, shutter speed, functionality, user options, toughness

Cons: size, AA Batteries (if you consider that a downside)

Summary: I put this camera head to head with a Panasonic Lumix TZ3 and the comparable Sony CyberShot DSC H3. The Canon won hands down. This camera is amazing. The Image Stabilization is better than any of its competitors. The scroll wheel is not as small and sensitive as the review reads, the shutter speed does lag slightly when using flash, but the flash is manual and has to be raised to be used. This is very helpful because a LOT of your shots will be saved and not drowned out by un-needed light intrusion. I couldn't be happier with this camera. The options and user-friendliness is better than any other camera I looked at. Bottom line: all companies that compete with this camera make quality cameras. But Sony and Panasonic are not exclusively camera companies. I like to trust the experts and they didn't let me down here. Canon makes cameras....period. That's their focus. They did a great job and I really love using this camera.

As a side-note, I use my camera for traditional party, family, holiday photos, but I also use it for much more. Tailgating, college football games and hiking are where it gets most of its' use. New camera, but I don't see it letting me down...especially with the 10x optical zoom. I am going to get so many great shots with this feature...both on the trail and in the football stadium. I couldn't recommend a product more.