Need Quick Help on Back up Point and Shoot

[dculp]

I hope you guys can help me find a good solution. I leave for a trip to Alaska in two weeks. I shoot with a D-SLR, but my wife would like a good point and shoot for when we are not together. As I would also use this for a back up, I want it to be a decent camera in the event anything happens to my D-SLR while out in the bush. Here is what I really want, but I am struggling to find it.

Small
Capable of shooting RAW
HD video capable.
OK zoom
Good picture quality
SD memory

I have found that Olympus has a camera that meets all of my criteria except RAW, but that is a big issue. I have searched the internet and it is very hard to find the information about RAW and HD video on the point and shoot cameras. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
David
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii314/dculp/
Canon XSi, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, Tamron 28-300mm f3.5-6.3, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

[bob_r]

David,

DPR has a "buying guide" program that allows you to select the options that are important to you and then they provide a list of models that would come the closest to meeting your selections. Since DPR reviews nearly every camera, they would also have an in-depth review for the various models and they show comparisons. It's a terrific site and here's the link to their buying guide:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

Bob R

[gldiana]

Hi David,
Check the Canon G3, seems it have most of the features you're looking for (and a great optional underwater case for about $150) for a reasonable price (around $400).

I don't know of any camera that takes RAW and HD video.

[dculp]

Bob,
This has already been a huge help!! Thanks for the heads up, this one is in the favorites now.

If anyone has experience with the Panasonic Lumix cameras or other suggestions, please let me know.

David

[Southern Wolf]

For a backup I would suggest the Fuji S1000 or similar Fuji.

The maco is outstanding... uses SD card, and has a 10x optical. I know they make a model that also has a 12x optical... but dont know the model number.

[bob_r]

Bob,
This has already been a huge help!! Thanks for the heads up, this one is in the favorites now.

If anyone has experience with the Panasonic Lumix cameras or other suggestions, please let me know.

David

I can't offer any insight to the Panasonic, but glad the link was helpful.

Bob R