What is the best digital camera thats under $300?

It has too be fast, good flash at night, high optical zoom and 6 megapixels or more?

They are all about the same quality just go to best buy, get some helo from a service rep and pick the one ou like the most. Brand and stuff like that doesent really matter anymore in today world of technology its all the same.

Take a look at the Canon S2IS. You may be able to find one under $300 now like I did. It is great because it has an automatic mode for point and shoot, but has SLR features to help you learn manual shooting. Granted, it is a 5 megapixel, but that is more than enough for any size picture I have printed from it. Unless you are blowing up your pictures to be HUGE, the 5 megapixel would be fine. More importantly, it has a 12x optical zoom with image stabilization! It also takes VGA quality video. I have had mine now for a couple months and it still amazes me every time I see the results. Best deal you can ask for under $300.

Edit: And yes, brand and other differences DO matter! If you were to put the Canon S2IS against other 5mp cameras, there will be a noticeable difference. You have to take into account the optics, sensor, etc. I have seen some cameras that claim 8-10 mp that produce awful results. Try a couple out, print the pictures, and buy the one that looks the best.

here's a link on ebay where you can read reviews of them by ebay members

anything by Canon or Sony. I've been doing my reasearch on the two, and when i buy my new came for under 300 bucks, it'll be by one of those 2. i love their petite and small cameras!

your best option is if you can find an sd800is for under or near 300 thats the best possible. an s2is would be nice but its slow comapred to whats out there right now it only uses the digic1 processor and every cannon out there uses at least the digic2 , the 800is useing the digic3.

a cheaper way to go is the SD600, digic 2 processor really ncie camera to have and you wont be overpaying like you will with a sony camera.

if you arent worried about size kodak makes great cameras as well one of my favorites.

I concur with Joe C. But consider my camera also. Takes excellent 8X10s when enlarged, 6 megapixels, 12X optical zoom,
image stabilizer, great on batteries, comes with batteries and charger. Can be bought for $300- Sony CyberShot DSC-H2.