The list at the top of this post includes all of the cameras that received a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating (the highest) from DP Review in the last 12 months. It is a good beginning list for picking a digital P&S. Don’t buy any of these cameras without reading the full review at DP Review.
You can expand on this list by deciding what kind of Point & Shoot you are interested in: compact, medium sized, or an almost full-sized camera with a long zoom lens that looks like a digital SLR.
Look at reviews of the kind of camera you are interested in at DP Review. Make a short list of the cameras of the type you want that have at least a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating (highest rating) or RECOMMENDED rating (second highest) from DP Review. Take your short list to your local camera store and look at just those cameras. Don’t let somebody talk you into looking at something that is not on your short list. Buy a camera you like from the short list.
I have a personal favorite on this list. When I went looking for an upgrade to my Canon G3, I decided on the Canon S3 IS. The image quality of still photos is excellent and the movie mode is one of the best in its class. I also wanted a camera with a long zoom range. For me, the combination of features in the Canon S3 IS was compelling so I bought one. It’s a great camera.
Where to Buy?
I buy some of my camera gear at my favorite local camera store, and some from my favorite online suppliers: Amazon.com, Adorama, and B&H Photo. I recommend that you support your favorite local camera store, or buy from a reputable online supplier.
If you buy from Amazon or Adorama by using one of the links at the bottom of my home page or various Amazon links on this blog, you will help support this web site.
Last year’s list:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 (7 mp sensor, 3x zoom)
Canon PowerShot A620 (7 mp, 4x)
Canon PowerShot S80 (8 mp, 3.6x)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC V3 (7 mp, 4x)
Canon PowerShot G6 (7 mp, 4x)
Canon PowerShot S2 IS (5mp, 12x)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC H1 (5mp 12x)
Panosonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 (5 mp, 12x)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC R1 (10 mp CMOS sensor, 7x)
It will help if you read my article on choosing a digital camera part one. Skip part two since it is now outdated.