Recommend a good point and shoot camera for me

[Silver dude]

I've been using a Sony Cyber shot the last 5 years its been fantastic but the camera no longer turns on the viewfinder is jammed and doesn't come out.

So I'm looking for a camera to replace it with.

I plan to the use the camera on mountain biking trips and it will see a lot of time in the garage taking pictures of parts of my vehicle. So it needs to be pretty rugged and easy to use with gloves on.

I have $250 to spend.
Needs to be small and slim to fit in my pocket.
Have great battery longevity between charges.
Image quality must be good.
Video quality of 720p would be great.

As it sits I'm thinking about just buying a new Cyber shot as this camera has been pretty good to me and I have the batteries and chargers. But, its good to know other options as well. Especially since the new cyber shots seem to have a pretty low image quality rating.

 

[BKCowGod]

The CyberShots are good cameras and if it worked for you in the past then I say go for it. Only thing I don't like is their proprietary memory format... I am also very happy with Panasonic Lumix and Fuji Finepix lines. Before you spend too much, check out dealnews.com - they compile great deals from respected vendors.

 

[opie]

Ill also recommend the Pansonic Lumix. Although its on the small side if you have bigger hands, it works flawlessly and takes very nice pictures for a P&S. Focus is fast and the shutter is also quick for a P&S. I haven't had any instances where I click the shutter and didn't get the picture I was after due to lag.

 

[AYIAPhoto]

The lumix(particularly the LX3) is a great little pocket camera. I've played with one and read the reviews as I am hoping to replace my stolen CyberShot. But then most of the pocket size P&S cameras are great these days which is why I can't decide between the lumix or the canon G11.

The LX3 is above your budget(and the G11 is way above) but the lumix ZS3 is right in your range:
# 10.1 Megapixels
# Leica 12x Optical Zoom Lens
# True 25mm Wide-Angle
# HD Video Recording
# Optical Image Stabilization

The Leica lenses are very good and the focal length on the camera is equivalent to a 25-300. That covers a lot of ground for a P&S, best part is that it uses "optical" zoom as opposed to digital. Also it has an F:2-2.8 aperture so even for a small sensor it should be pretty good in low light.