Camera buying decision

Consumer Reports' digital camera ratings from the December 2009 issue helped me narrow down my camera choices to get the best bang for my buck.

What I wanted:

• A camera with good image quality for less than $250, ideally around $200.
• Image stabilization
  
• Decent ratings across the board
• A camera released in 2009
  
• A camera with a good recommendation from Ken Rockwell, if possible
  

The contenders:



Canon Powershot SD780 (Subcompact)
$200
Battery life: 210 shots
1600 ISO
Image stabilizer
Face detection self-timer
Optical viewfinder
3x zoom (35mm film equivalent: 33-100mm)
1280 x 720 video
#10 on the Consumer Reports rating chart of 57 cameras and a recommended model.
Ken Rockwell recommends this camera on his recommended cameras page and says this on his review page: "The SD780 is the smallest good camera I've ever used. I'd suggest it as a first choice for a pocket tag-along digital camera."

Canon Powershot SD1200 (Subcompact)
$150
Battery life: 260 shots
ISO 400
Image stabilizer
Face detection self-timer
Optical viewfinder
3x zoom (35mm film equivalent: 35-105mm)
640 x 480 video
#2 on the Consumer Reports rating chart of 57 cameras and a recommended model.

Canon Powershot A1000
$168 (silver)
Battery life: 450 shots
ISO 100
Image stabilizer
Optical viewfinder
4x zoom