My primary concern when purchasing it was shutter lag.
I can't stand a camera that doesn't take a pic when you press the button.
We previously had a canon that I could only take blurry pics with. Its shutter lag was so long, that you would press the button, hear a click, think it's done, and start to move, and then a measurable amount of time later, it would actually take the pic.
At the time I was shopping, I found that all Sonys were the same way.
X10. Except....it is ALL about what YOU need YOUR camera to do for YOU. What are you planning on using it for? Action? Still shots? Good all-around shots?
Shutter speed is HUGE. How long
does it take to take a pic when you push the button? Look for things like image stabilizers built into the point and shoot designs (they compensate for shaking hands or unstable footing while you are snapping a shot
), and a fast autofocus. It all goes along with shutter speed.
It really is all personal preferance. Know what you want before you go in somewhere, and then tell them what you are looking for:
Are you going to be making prints of the photos you take? If so, in what size? 8x10's require over 10 megapixel for startling clear picture prints, usually. If you just want to be able to post pics on message boards etc, something with less megapixels will be fine. My little Cybershot only has 4.1, my big Nikon has 10.2.
What are you willing to settle for (megapixel size, waterproof or no, size of camera itself - because sometimes
really small is
too small and it'll pick up on slightest shimmy and shiver - among other things), what do you need, and what you think might be easiest to use?
The more complicated stuff can be fun if you have the time, but when you are running a trail, are you really going to have time to set the f-stops, adjust the exposure, etc? LOL. A good autofocus can be your best friend in a point n shoot.
Quiet honestly, spend some time in the stores, actually taking pictures with the display models, and some places let you print out a photo. Never buy it unless you have tried it, except of course if there is a locked in gaurentee return no charge within X amount of days.
You can virtually find something you like in ANY price range....literally. The old camera I had was a Sony Cybershot. Not a bad camera, except I have high standards and 1) don't like blurry pictures, and 2) hate sitting there waiting for the click of a picture, or waiting for the camera to reset for another shot. Made action shots hell. But...it was of a design from 3 years ago. Maybe they have improved?
Either way.....good luck!
