i would def go with a cannon power shot, best point and shoot i have ever owned, mines and sd600 and i like it more then the newer ones, its rugged too , i hike for 2 weeks in newmexico backpacking with it dropping itr countless times, and it takes awsome pictures, and there are a whole lot of setting and effects you can add in the manule mode, its just so simple and the macro on its teh ****!!, and i you can pick one up 200sh and save yourself some green, hoped i helped