Any suggestions for the best (moderately priced) digital camera?

I would suggest a Canon since they are the market leaders in most camera segments and boast of the best picture quality (according to all of the camera reviews i have read till now). I myself have been a happy sony cybershot P8 & P200 (thanks to my dad) user but its always possible to find an equivalent canon for cheaper. I am assuming moderately priced means $150-250.

A few things to consider before buying a camera:

1. Megapixels: try going for atleast 4MP and 5 is recommended for best price features tradeoff. More MP implies a newer camera and generally better/faster electro mechanics. Try to go for a model release in last few months.

2. Battery: I myself prefer cameras running on rechargeable AA Nickel MetalHydride (normal pencil cells) batteries. The advantage that these have over custom LithiumIon batteries is that AA are available at every street corner and its cheap to carry replacements. However, AA's make the camera bulkier.

3. Features: Depending on how much of a photography Nut u are, you should look for specific features in a camera... it will take me a lotta time to explain each and everyone of them and its much better to read about them yourself online. eg. Zoom (atleast 4X optical zoom), fast USB 2.0 connection (you dont wanna fall asleep while transferring photos), responsive fast camera (never miss an important shot), Image stabilisation (available in pricier models, removes hand shake effects in low light conditions), Preset Picture Modes (Idiot proof preset modes for shooting photos in particular scenarios like low-light, sports, indoors, scenery etc.), manual focus exposure and aperture settings etc. etc....

4. Video: Most digital cameras can shoot video now-a-days but cannot control various shooting parameters during recording like focus etc. Some cameras have a limit on the length of the video they can shoot.

5. Compactness: The Canon A series is not good in this respect. Check out Canon SD450 etc. SD series cameras.

My best-guess suggestions: Canon A series - A520, A530 (prolly my next buy), A620 or the canon SD series

Depending on how serious you are about photoography make sure you spend enough time understanding what all you are looking for and then choose accordingly... not need to be restricted to Canon also.

Do tell me which one you decided to buy and why as it would help me decide too. Thanks.
Use dpreview.com for technical detailed reviews.
EDIT: corected a few typos

hey melancholy, cheer up willya... why are ya sad in ur avatar pic ?

i have a sony cybershot. they're pretty good.

sorry to be rude but,
If you want the best dont expect moderatly priced.

I asked the same question on here! try Looking at best buy or Walmart Samsungs I think are great!

I just got an olympus stylus off ebay that kicks ***

Try looking at amazon.com they also have descriptions of their cameras.

Go to ebay.com, it has great, inexpensive digital cameras, and a great selection.

I have an HP, because I have an HP computer system (including a photosmart printer). I love the camera and the equipment works well together. [No "bugs" between different manufacturers.]

I recently bought a Canon S2 IS. Unbelievable camera! The prices recently dropped because the S3 IS is coming out. Can't go wrong with Canon cameras. Stay away from their printers though. Those are just bad news!
http://www.dpreview.com/ is a great resource.

Kodak Z700 / 4 Megapixel / 5x Optical Zoom / 4x Digital Zoom / Digital Camera Refurbished 150 dollars tigerdirect.com it got 5 star rating and 4 people rated it or you could get it elsewhere too i guess

a power shota95 is approximately $300, 14 shooting modes and 5 magapixels but slow processor. not a great camera for taking moving shots. they're is a ton articles of that stuff in magazines such as laptop, test and gadget.