The subject line says it mostly but the angle is a little different (but Mod, please feel free to merge it or delete it as necessary). I unexpectedly have a couple of days in Sydney later this week and might just buy a camera so I can take a few snaps.

Now here's what I'm after: Something that also just happens to shoot VGA video and also has stabalisation in video mode (unlike my current Sony W7 which I've left at home this time ).

I'd like to go for a Canon if any meet these criteria as the automatic mode of Canon cameras just seems to work better for me (a matter of familiarity, understanding the limitations and knowing work arounds having spent much time with a couple of Digital Ixus aka Elph models).

Any recommendations will be much appreciated.

There is a website called http://www.dpreview.com/ Its the best place I have found that reviews cameras.

I have a Sony DSC-T5. large screen and very thin, but it doesn't take a good enough picture for my liking.

I'd recommend the Canon G7. Brand new camera with IS and high res video, tons of other features too.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonG7/

Hmmm, maybe too much of a camera for me to handle but it does look rather nice (and should grow with me if I take the technical and artistic aspects of photography a bit more seriously ).

I just bought a Panasonic DMC-TZ1 because it has a 10x optical zoom.
The "Optical Image Stabilizer" is supposed to work in video mode as well as still mode.

That would be my recommendation as well. I use the FZ7 myself.

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...00000000005702

Remember when comparing the "zoom" of various models, what many people don't realize is that they would be better served by a better WIDE angle lens. All those times you couldn't get enough landscape in the shot with your subject, etc., so don't forget to check that too!

I almost bought the Canon SD800-IS but opted for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX07 in the end. they both have 28mm "35mm camera equivelant" lenses, but the Lumix felt like a more solid product and it cost less. I'm sure I'd have been happy with the Canon though, if I were a "canon" person.

-cheapo

Well, it ended up boiling down to a run off between the Canon G7 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2. The Lumix won due its 28mm lens (yes, I know the Canon will do the same thing if you drip town a couple of Megapixels) and the look of the thing - I just loved the classical minimalist design, a bit like a modern take on the old Leica design from the 50s.

Oh, and I was able to pick of the camera + 1GB SD card for approx �290 from AKL today (this board is welcome to decide if I got a good price there ).

I've just taken my first night image at ISO 1600. Not brilliant (from a hotel with windows windows that could do with a bit of a wash) but proves the principle that with the right equipment and a little bit of knowledge, it is possible to take night/low light photos without a flat surface or a tripod.

Much learning to do!

I'll not go into a detailed review of the Lumix DMC-LX2 as this would be a bit OT for this forum but needless to say I'm very happy with it.

I've spent a couple of wonderful days in Sydney playing with different lighting conditions, scenes, portraits, close ups (macro mode) and so on. Now I'm back in Fiji with lots more to do (ended up spending some of my free time taking macro shots of tropical plat life today). The camera is IMHO the works though there are a few none SLR cameras out there that probably do the low light quite a bit better (every reviewer complains about this).

My decision was indeed based on the superb http://www.dpreview.com website. The main competitor for DMC-LX2 is the Canon G7. The G7 is, on the face of it, in many ways a better camera (and certainly looks better - to me - for a pro wanting a coat pocket "about town" device). In the end, the classical style and fairly hefty price difference (we're talking approx �100 more for the G7) won me over.

The only thing I don't like about the camera is one of the very classical things that attracted me to it: If I want to switch the camera on and take pictures, I have to use my fingers (yes, my fingers) to remove the lens cover (fortunately connected to the camera so can't easily be lost).