Need P&S Camera Recommendations

[cwilliamson]

My Kodak Easyshare battery won't charge anymore and I think I need a new point and shoot. Can anyone recommend one that can give me consistently good photos in the auto mode? I would also like one that I can customize the settings once in a while and that is big enough I can get a good grip on it. I'd like a good zoom also. I take a lot of indoor photos - mostly of my kids - so I don't have a lot of time to adjust settings before the moment is gone.

I did purchase another Kodak EasyShare because I was so happy with my old one. However, I am not impressed with the Smart Capture Mode in this one. The indoor photos were blurry. It has helped occasionally to put it in sport mode, but I can't get consistent results. I liked the dial feature to change settings in my old camera. I don't want to have to toggle through menus before I can get to the right mode.
My price range is under $500. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

[JobaScraps]

It is hard to know what to buy for a good p&s. My daughter just struggled with that issue. she went to Camera Exchange & they let her try out two camera at home. One was supposedly better for indoors lighting the other had a better zoom. the one with better lighting wasn't that great & she realized she preferred having a better zoom. If only they would make a camera with all the features we want-good indoor lighting & a good zoom but no must pick !!

[Loretta]

I used to have a Kodak that I loved, but when it quit no one recommended them anymore. Said they have not kept up with the other brands, so I got a Canon G11. For the most part I've really liked it, but it is a little disappointing for indoor shots (although I hardly ever use my flash). The Canon G12 has good reviews and would be under $500. My son just bought the Canon Elph 300 (I think it is 300) and so far they are really happy with it.

[mcmama]

I just got a Canon Powershot Elph 300 HS in red. They have now come out with a 310 version but the 300 has been on sale for a good price. It has good reviews and I am really liking mine. It is very pocketable but seems to be taking nice pictures. They are not always perfect so I do get the odd blurry photo but I have taken a lot of very nice photos. My Dad has been quite impressed. It also has HD video.

http://www.canon.ca/inetCA/products?m=gp&pid=8868

I purchased it because my big P&S camera that takes a full SLR flash etc is nice for Christmas concerts etc when I am far away but I have found I just wasn't taking it with me so we weren't getting as many pictures. I have been taking this little camera everywhere and just keep it in my jacket inside pocket. I took pictures skiing last weekend.

Jodi