Good P&S?

I'm looking to find a decent P&S for my daughter, preferable under $300. I'd prefer it to have a viewfinder, so I can teach her "proper" shooting methods. I've read reviews on so many P&S lately that my head spins. I keep wondering if I expect too much from a P&S, especially in that price range. Thanks in advance.

You can hardly do better than a Canon, and you can by the SD1200 IS for between $210 and $280, depending on body color. Check it out at dpreview.com.

Rob - Most P&S's are very good anymore; you almost can't go wrong quality wise with any of the major brands. I'd focus more on the particular features you want - IS, finder, Av/Tv/Manual modes, RAW, etc. whatever they may be.

As far as the finder goes, I'd reconsider needing one... the ones on P&S camera are terrible, and even when I've used them it's only been in case of not being able to see the screen. Add in the fact that more and more SLR level cameras will be coming in the future without finders (or with EVFs) and that seems like a small part of shooting to worry about.

You will narrow your search considerably if you limit it to one with a viewfinder. Most P&S cameras have forsaken them in favor of a slightly larger LCD screen. I have an ultra-compact with a viewfinder that is pathetic.

My wife and daughter both have Canon Powershot A-series cameras, (A-720 and A-540, not current models) Both were well under $200. They both have optical viewfinders that are not awful. I love my wife's A-720, a great little camera.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Lots of things to think about. Course, now the daughter has decided to stick with her older Kodak, so I have time :).