Point-and-shoot digital camera

Hi there.

I am a dSLR user (Canon), but I am not familiar with point-and-shoot brands.
Before moving to dSLR, I had a Canon SD600.

I know a lot has changed since I bought this camera in terms of the technology out there, so I was just wondering, are there specific brands which have better picture quality or are they pretty much the same? And, are there brands which have better HD video?

Thanks in advanced for any info!

 

Within each brand the more expensive cameras usually have better image quality than the least expensive but there is definitely a difference among the different brands. In other words, images from Canon, Panasonic, Sony, Fuji, etc. all have their own distinctive "look".

Sony seems to have the best HD video.

 

So is there a few brands and/or models which really stand out amongst the rest?

 

Looking at point and shoot cameras only:

For Canon, the G11 and S90 have the best image quality, while the SX210 IS probably has the best video.

For Panasonic the LX3 has the best image quality, followed by the FZ35 and ZS7. The FZ35 probably has the best video.

For Sony the HX5 may have the best image quality and video.

For Fuji the F200EXR probably has the best image quality. Fuji cameras aren't known for their video capability.

For Nikon the P100 probably has the best image quality and movies.

 

The Sony HX5 looks quite impressive. Is it the only compact point and shoot that has 1080p?

I like the S90 but no HD mode.

 

A couple of other cameras with 1080P resolution are the Sony TX7 and the Nikon P100