Best alternate to the Canon A710 or GZ?

Initially excited about a relatively compact camera offering resolution and zoom power with manual controls and optical stabilization. However, when I read of the red-eye problem with these two cameras I must hesitate. Many of my photos will be of family and friends, as well as the other shots of nature and landscape I enjoy. I'd rather not have a load of photos requiring later correction, as red-eye. Should I sacrifice convience (translates as smaller size) for getting the red out? If so, which cameras would you then recommend?

Hi there,
I'm drawing a total blank on what camera you mean by "GZ"?

The main reason the compacts have this red eye problem is because the flash is so darned close to the lens. What you could do, of course, is get a camera with a separate flash that you can mount further away, but obviously that destroys the purpose of having a compact in the first place.

I have heard that the Kodak V610 does a good job avoiding red eye, but unfortunately it doesn't have IS nor manual controls. That's the other problem with compacts: they often don't offer the more sophisticated controls. The Panasonic TZ1 is another little one that does pretty well with red eye but doesn't offer the other features.

I'm not being very helpful, am I? I guess my opinion would be that at this point in digital technology, you may have to sacrifice small size in order to avoid the red eye problem and to get the controls that you want. I just can't think of anything that offers the features you mentioned but that doesn't have reported issues with red eye, at least sometimes. I totally agree with you that red eye is one of the most frustrating things about digitals. Personally, I'd be less annoyed dragging around a larger camera, so that may be your best bet. =)