ATTENTION CAMERA THUGS: Need Camera Input IMMEDIATELY

[Kevykev]

My wife wants a camera that takes awesome pics in any condition Night - motion etc etc.

She needs something relatively easy to use that comes with an external zoom - if that makes any sense.

Something in this format.
http://www.digicamreview.com/images/canon_powershot_sx120.jpg

Looking to spend between 150 and 400

Suggestions?

p.s

No she's not starting a photography business =D

Thanks Brothaz

[Tarzanman]

Your question is best answered with information than a simple answer. Here is why:

The ability to take good low light photos depends on both the maximum aperture on the camera lens and the ISO (sensitivity)range of the camera's sensor... but the lens is what is more important.

As for aperture: f/2.8 is so-so for low light. f/2.0 is a little better and f/1.8 is where a lens starts to get 'good' for low light. F/1.4, f/1.2, f/0.95 etc... will be excellent apertures for low light photos.

Most point and shoot cameras are f/3.5 (horrible for low light) and even nice point & shoot cameras don't go wider than f/2.8 or f/2 (for certain cameras).

The Canon SD4000 IS, Canon S90, and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 can do f/2.0 at ISO 3200. That is as good as it gets with a point and shoot camera.

If you want f/1.8 or better then you will need an SLR and money for a fast prime lens (lenses start at $100 for a 50mm f/1.8 and go up into the thousands for f/1.2 lenses)