Which is best for no flash and low light photos? - A1000 IS, A590, or SD890?

I rarely (if ever) use flash when taking photos - so I am wondering which one will be best for low light situtaions, outdoor shots of my kids at the lake during the "magic hour" of light at sunset, night shots, and also richness of color and crisp image are very important to me. I know that's a lot to ask for a small camera. I was looking at the A1000 IS, the A590, or the SD890. But if you know of a better Canon model, by all means let me know! We travel worlwide, so I want a point and shoot that is going to give me the best quality looking photo.

The photo links you sent are exactly what was I looking for. Your travel shots in China are much like that of my own style of setting up shots - we were there 2 years ago - the photo of the Bund at night, Mao tower inside and outside (we stayed there too and I had loads of fun taking the same angled shots you did) the silk market colors, mountain landscape, etc. is what I need in a little camera, you caught on to what I'm looking for in a point and shoot. Our Italy trip is only 4 months away so I need to get this done.

I had never considered Panasonic but will be now...another reviewer on this camera test drove this and the Canon 870, very similar to the 890 I was looking at, and said he would pick this camera hands down.
I like the 28mm, that is a big draw right there, but I wish it had a view finder. I think it's easier to set up better photos with that feature...maybe I'm just too old school and need to get used to using the display. How is the battery power?

hello Mary
sadly the shots are not mine but by a great photographer called furious Phil2005
the tz5 's 3 inch lcd display is very easy to use and makes setting up pictures very easy
the battery life is about 200 shots
again here is a link to a set of photos by another tz5 user taken during "the magic hour"
i think they show it at its best
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29596446@N06/2935487834/

Hi Steve,
Found the TZ5 Forum at Flickr with the help of your link where I could read up on some more Q and A along with useful tips on the chat boards. This is the camera I will be purchasing. The photos are impressive for low light and color - they displayed the qualities I've been searching for and the 28 mm is the extra bonus over the Canons I was considering. Thanks for the information about this camera and taking the time to answer my questions... it's what makes these review sites work!

While the TZ5 may be a good solid camera, I have to go with the Canon G10 as it has an SLR sized CCD chip and the new DIGIC IV processor. This is going to be an advantage when you're shooting in low light and at higher ISOs. But understand that there will come a point, not matter what point and shoot camera you have, where noise will begin to creep in as the ISO gets higher and higher.

The other option is the SD990. Same Digic IV processor and it's getting great reviews with solid images.

Thanks for the info James, I'll check it out!

Mary, another downside of the Panasonic TZ5 is the long lock up after taking a shot while it writes to the SD card. Unfortunately Nikon and Panasonic haven't figured out Canon's secret of fast write times and allowing the camera to take quick followup shots. The other downside of the TZ5 is the loss of detail and image blur that Panasonic introduces in low light and higher ISO settings. It's a great little zoom, but image will be less than superb when enlarged. For snapshots though it will be fine. One of the current best of the bests is the Canon SD990IS. Larger sensor, better low light, higher ISO, and great color and fine detail all in a small package.