Are any of you using a point and shoot

[pscot]

that you really like? I'm looking for something a little handier than the SLR. It has to take good pictures and maybe offer some control over the automation. A macro feature would be nice too. I want to keep it under $300.

[FreeState]

1. Check these out

Got this link from a post on here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q210grouptravelzoom/

There are quite a few nice ones there for less than $300.

(I have an Olympus point and shoot - but its not very customizable at all, since getting an iPhone and a Nikon D90 I rarely use it anymore. I also use a Nikon CoolPix too - it works great - runs right at $300: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=nikon+coolpix&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15584741201508453882&ei=Z_0bTJPJNcugnweZidH3DQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CFYQ8wIwBA#ps-sellers)

[alfredo]

2. I have a Canon G10 and it has real good Macro, but it

might be out of your stated price range. I paid $500 for it, but it has been replaced with the G11.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong10/

[pscot]

3. I looked at the G11

but you're right, it is more than I want to spend. Nice camera, though.

[alfredo]

4. You might find a good price for the Canon S90 at Amazon.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons90/ That camera has been getting good reviews.

[Stevenmarc]

5. OK slightly over budget @ $349 @ B&H the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7

This is pretty much the new Leica V-lux 20 which sells for $700

[Adsos Letter]

6. Costco currently has that (without the GPS function) for $300

and if you snatch their $50 off coupon, it becomes an even better deal. It goes under Lumix DMC-ZS6; but my understanding is that the lack of GPS is the only difference.

Just bought the Lumix DMC-LX3 (from B&H, per group's dealer rec.) for my younger daughter for her 20th birthday. Beautiful shots from that little point-and-shoot, so far!

Thinking I might get a polarizing lens for it though, just to keep that leica lens clean.

[Stevenmarc]

7. The LX3 is a great P&S

I have the Leica version of it and I pretty much carry it everywhere, even if I have the DSLR I find a place in the camera bag for it.