The Canon ELPH series are very small and very simple (some say too simple with little over ride control). I have always liked the Canon "point and shoots" and have owned several of the higher end models (A630, A640, G9, and the latest being the new G1 X which I love so far even though others hate it for its quirks but no one can argue about its IQ). I bought a 300 series ELPH for my oldest son at Christmas and he loves it. I also borrowed it Christmas day from him to compare to my G9. Pretty close in image quality but not as rugged and not as flexible for artsy shots. It all depends on want you want to do with it.
I'm not up on the current models. but I've had a number of point and shoot cameras since 1998. They seem to last an average of about two years. Like Eva, I've had three Canon ELPHs. I like their small size - easily fits in a pocket. The last one was the size of a credit card. The small size ups the price and reduces the capabilities. I've had Nikon, Kodak, Sony, and Panasonic but always came back to the Canon ELPH.
I've had one super-zoom. I absolutely hated the electronic viewfinder and eventually gave the camera away.
My wife has a Canon A720 which has fallen into disuse since she got her Rebel a couple years ago. It is a terrific camera and a great value, not as small as the ultra-compacts, but has more zoom (6x) and a real optical viewfinder and takes AA batteries. I don't know what the current model is that has replaced it, but for general use for a snap-shooter, this is the type of camera I'd recommend.
My current point and shooter is my iPhone. Not a very good camera, but it's convenient.
Jack - If easy to use simply means "auto everything" then just about any modern point and shoot will be just about equally easy to use. And they all give anywhere from good to very good results. Really, there isn't much to choose between them unless you're looking for some particular feature (manual controls, raw capability, long zooms, touch screens, etc.).
Outside of that, I'd give the same advice I've given to others on P&S's, and seen other places : just look through the models, and pick the one that seems best, and go with it. Don't waste a lot of time searching for something perfect in some way.
Joking asside, most has already been said. If she's going to shoot in auto mode most of the time, I'd focus on other aspects as deciding factors. Size/convenience and whether you want video capability are two biggies. If you will use it a lot in sunny areas I'd highly recommend one with some kind of view finder as the LCDs can be hard to see and with no other option can be nearly non functional some days. But best advice is get something that will convenient and easy to use and it will take more pictures
My wife has a Leica X-1 and she loves it. It is very light and simple to use and only has 2 dials - shutter speed and aperture. No complicated menu selection or presets. It has an APC size sensor and hence very capable in low light. Fixed 35 mm lens and the color is just fabulous. The downside - it cost more than my DSRL (well you did not mention price ).
I know folks who love their Panasonics Jack... sounds good.
Gary... you said :
It is very light and simple to use and only has 2 dials - shutter speed and aperture. No complicated menu selection or presets.
For someone who understands what those dials mean and do (i.e. someone who would shoot in Av, Tv, or M mode), that sounds awesome, and I wish more cameras were like that. For the average user, having to learn about aperture and shutter speed is more daunting that even the most complicated menus I think. Menus people are used to in other walks of life. Having to understand exposure? That's asking a lot.
Discussion
8 repliesI've had one super-zoom. I absolutely hated the electronic viewfinder and eventually gave the camera away.
My wife has a Canon A720 which has fallen into disuse since she got her Rebel a couple years ago. It is a terrific camera and a great value, not as small as the ultra-compacts, but has more zoom (6x) and a real optical viewfinder and takes AA batteries. I don't know what the current model is that has replaced it, but for general use for a snap-shooter, this is the type of camera I'd recommend.
My current point and shooter is my iPhone. Not a very good camera, but it's convenient.
Outside of that, I'd give the same advice I've given to others on P&S's, and seen other places : just look through the models, and pick the one that seems best, and go with it. Don't waste a lot of time searching for something perfect in some way.
Gary... you said :
For someone who understands what those dials mean and do (i.e. someone who would shoot in Av, Tv, or M mode), that sounds awesome, and I wish more cameras were like that. For the average user, having to learn about aperture and shutter speed is more daunting that even the most complicated menus I think. Menus people are used to in other walks of life. Having to understand exposure? That's asking a lot.