What is the best digital camera for a first time buyer?

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2. Inexpensive, 6x optical zoom, anti shake. You don't need more than 5mp.

Canon PowerShot S50

powershot a520

polariod, old fashion type and remember to cover w/ platic so no spills

The models by Kodak have the easiest features for a new user.

Kodak Easy Share models have gotten high marks for being user friendly.

I got a Canon PowerShot A75 for Christmas last year and I love it! I recommend rechargeable batteries if it takes regular ones...

Oh my the best? well thats very difficult to answer let me take a shot at it forgive the pun. When you say best I think inexpensive and easy to use like the sony dsc-p150 it retails around 300 or so cheaper now that is being phased out but its small easy to use and becoming more inexpensive now that the new dsc-p200 is out which in my opinion is not worth the extra money

That's hard to say for us. But if you want to make easy and fast "snapshots" you should take a look at the Canon "a-series". If you really want a good small ultra-compact camera, the "ixus-series" from canon will do the job.

Good Luck.

P.S. i'm not working for Canon!