Slickdeals.net - Olympus VR-340 16 MP, 10x Zoom, 3" LCD, HD Video w/ Optical Zoom Point-and-Shoot Camera $108, black only ($150 Street)

Amazon [amazon.com] has the Olympus VR-340 in black for $108.24 shipped.

This is the only camera in this price range I've seen that can do optical zoom while shooting HD video (a la camcorder). Respectable performance specs, lots of special features, and all in a subcompact, lightweight package.

Just stumbled upon this while looking for a deal on the Canon 310 HS. Found the Olympus' specs and features similar, but it's half the price! (Ya, this is not the Canon -- no barbs needed.)

Price is jumping around, last low $106, now $108.

VR-340 Features
16 MEGAPIXEL
An amazing 16 million pixels in the high-resolution CCD create superior image quality. Create poster-sized prints without losing a single detail.

10X ULTRA WIDE-ANGLE ZOOM LENS (24-240MM EQUIVALENT).
A big zoom that fits right in your pocket. The 10x zoom lets you get incredibly close to your subject, while the wide-angle lens lets your capture everyone and everything in your shot!

3.0-INCH LCD
This huge 3.0-inch LCD features an extra-wide viewing angle for easier composing and shooting.

HD VIDEO
A simple, one-touch button allows you to record video with amazing clarity in high-definition, right from your camera.

DUAL IMAGE STABILIZATION
Dual Image Stabilization combines Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds to capture crisp, clear images in any situation.

INTELLIGENT AUTO + SHADOW ADJUSTMENT TECHNOLOGY
Automatically identifies the scene you’re shooting -- up to 30 different scene modes including Portrait, Landscape, Night + Portrait, Macro or Sports -- and adjusts the settings for ideal results. (Number of scene modes varies by model.) iAuto combines with Shadow Adjustment Technology to capture scenes exactly as you see them even in difficult lighting situations.

BEAUTY MODE WITH MAKEUP MODE
Beauty Mode makes beautiful portraits by softening shadows and smoothing wrinkles and blemishes on your subject's face, while Makeup mode allows you to enhance individual features like adding eyeshadow, whitening teeth and lifting cheek bones.

MAGIC ART FILTERS - STILL & MOVIE
Express your creativity with up to 12 special effects for your photos & HD movies. Olympus' Magic Art Filters infuse familiar scenes with new and unexpected moods ranging from the exciting to the serene and from the whimsical to the mysterious. Choose from Pop Art, Pin Hole, Drawing, Fish Eye, Soft Focus, Punk, Watercolor, Miniature, Sparkle, Reflection, Dramatic and Fragmented. (Effects vary by model and may reduce image size.)

AF TRACKING
AF Tracking automatically tracks unpredictable, fast-moving subjects such as kids and pets, and continuously adjusts the focus and brightness so you can capture these photogenic whirlwinds with ease.

FACE DETECTION
Face Detection automatically focuses on your subjects' faces and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures.

VR-340 Specifications
Image Sensor: 16 Megapixels (effective), 1/2.3"
Focal Length/Lens Configuration: 4.2 - 42.0mm (24 - 240mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
Zoom: 10x Optical Zoom + 4x Digital Zoom
Aperture Range: f3.0 (W) - f5.7 (T)
Display: 3.0" LCD 460K dots
Focus System: CCD Contrast Detection
Focus Range (from lens surface):
Normal Mode: W: 0.6m-‡/T: 1.0‚-‡
Macro Mode: W: 0.2m-‡/T: 0.9m-‡
Super Macro Mode: 0.01m`‡@f=6.61mmifocal length fixed)
Focus Mode: iESP Auto, Spot AF, Face Detection AF, AF Tracking
Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec. -1/2 sec. (up to 4 sec. in Candle Scene mode)
ISO Sensitivity (SOS: Standard Output Sensitivity): Auto, High Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Exposure Metering: Digital ESP Metering
White Balance Control: Auto, One-touch, Presets (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Fluorescent3)
Exposure Compensation: 2 steps (bright/standard)
Image File Format:
Still Image: JPEG
Movie: AVI Motion JPEG
Number of Recorded Pixels:
16M(4608x3456): combined screennail (VGA)
8M(3264x2448): combined screennail (VGA)
5M(2560x1920): combined screennail (VGA)
3M(2048x1536)
2M(1600x1200)
1M(1280x960)
VGA(640x480) (compression ratio: 1/8 & 1/4)
16:9 S (1920x1080) (compression ratio: 1/4 & 1/8)
Motion Blur Suppression: Dual Image Stabilization
Shooting Modes: iAuto, Program Auto,
Scene Modes: [Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Sport, Indoor, Candle, Self Portrait, Sunset, Fire Works, Cuisine, Documents, Beach & Snow, Pet, 3D],
Magic Filters: [Pop Art, Pin Hole, Fish Eye, Drawing, Soft Focus, Punk, Sparkle]
Panorama: PC Panorama (Up to 10 frames automatically stitchable with ib software)
Continuous Shooting:
High-Speed1 Approx. 1.4 fps / 200 image (3M)
High-Speed2 Approx. 15.0 fps / 20 image (3M)
Approx. 0.47 fps / 200 images (16M)
Movie Mode:
1280X720 (30fps, 15fps)
640X480 (30fps, 15fps)
320X240 (30fps, 15fps)
Noise Reduction: Auto
Image Playback: Still Image: Single, Index Display (5x4), Event, Up to 10x Enlargement, Slideshow
Movie: Normal, Fast-Forward, Reverse, Frame-by-Frame, Voice Playback
Flash Modes: Auto (for low light and backlit conditions)
Red-Eye Reduction: Fill-in | Off
Flash Working Range:
W: 0.2m - 4.8m (ISO 800)
T: 0.9m - 2.4m (ISO 800)
Self-Timer: 12/2 Seconds
Memory: 34.9MB
Removable Media Card: SD/SDHC/SDXC Card
Outer Connectors: Multi-Terminal (USB Connector, Audio/Video Output)
System Requirements: "Auto-Connect USB: Windows® 2000/XP/VISTA/7 with USB port, Mac OS X 10.3 or later with USB port
Software: Windows® 2000PRO/XP/VISTA/7, Mac OS X 10.3 - 10.5"
Power Source: Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery (Li-50B)
F-2AC (Included). F-3AC Compatible.
Dimensions:
104.3W x 60.2H x 28.3D (mm)
4.1W x 2.4H x 1.1D (in)
Weight:
170g
6.0oz

VR-340 Package Contents

VR-340 Digital Camera
USB Cable & AC Adapter (F-2AC)
Instruction Manual & Software CD
Audio/Video Cable
Strap
Lithium-Ion Battery