Best compact for a purist (but not too expensive)

then my vote would be another for the LX3, but with that huge caution of "no viewfinder". I find I struggle with cameras that are "LCD only", and the LX3 is no exception, but I grew up in a VF world. However, the manual focus (via a joystick arrangement) does actually work pretty well, and the 24mm f/2 lens is pretty nice (note though that it depends on some pretty hefty in-camera processing for barrel distortion and CA).

If "small SLR-style" is okay, then take a good look at the Panasonic G1. Mine is on order, so I can't comment from personal use, but manual focus with that bright EVF is said to be a dream. I'm planning on using my old OM lenses on it for just that reason. (Manual focus is fun, people. Embrace it!) And you also get the one version of an LCD I do like, that which articulates, making all kinds of creative shots possible (should she start to warm to the new digital world).

Tim
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http://mainetim.zenfolio.com/

Interesting thread. I just went through some of the same decisions and have a Panasonic G1 on the way. FWIW, here are some of my thoughts.

I think if price is an issue your daughter may have to compromise a bit. Most of what she doesn't want (face detection, etc.) can simply be turned off and ignored, although she may be like me and find it slightly annoying to have these settings on the dial that she will never really use. More a problem, fixed focal length and decent manual focus are rare in compact digitals. Heck, they were getting pretty rare in the last film cameras. If she can live with a zoom and autofocus she has some choices. If not, she may be stuck.

Also, I'm not sure what "wide" is to her, but there are not many affordable choices wider than 28mm equivalent, or with a very fast aperture either.

The Olympus 420 with the standard zoom is pretty affordable and reasonably compact (or add a few bucks for the pancake, though it's not a wide lens). It can be set to full manualm but manual focus is only for those with good vision, and even then some find "focus by wire" a problem. (If you want to save a few bucks, there may still be a few new 410s out there -- check ebay for Cameta Camera listings.) I use Olympus as my main system and very much love the color and high quality camera JPGs, but that's just me.

The Canon G10 is a nice size IMO and has plenty of dials to spin. It gets great marks for image quality, in spite of the high pixel count, and seems very popular with working pros. OTOH, it is very much a zoom, the optical finder is pretty dubious -- more an aiming device than a real finder, and manual focus is almost useless.

I am less familiar with the LX3, but the feature set looks nice and like the G10 it is highly recommended by people who know photography. The price is right, too, if you shop around.

My own choice is the Panasonic G1 -- mine has not yet arrived. It is definitely a break with tradition, but offers a good set of traditional controls alongside most of the latest bells and whistles. It is a hair smaller than the 420 and there should be a pancake available early next year. She may learn to love live view and the articulated LCD. Biggest downside is that right now it is somewhat pricey

As you may have guessed, even though the order is in I am still debating a bit. For me it came down to the larger sensor and articulated screen of the G1 versus the smaller size, longer zoom and lower price of the G10. Look me up in 6 months and I'll be able to tell you if I made the right decision.

Hope some of this is helpful.

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Gato

Alt Portraits:
http://www.silvermirage.com/altpix01.html

n/t