Whats the best digital camera under $500?

I just got a 10.1mp samsung digicam from sears and its wonderful. Cost me 250 bucks

Sony is a leader in the industry. They have quite a few camara's under $500 dollars. My Sony handicam shoots video and takes still shots. I'm very pleased with it. I picked it up for $299 dollars at Best Buy's. That was the regular price.

try an olympus, unlike sony and other big electronics company olympus is a camara company so that is there bread and butter, and they have nice ones for less than 500.00

Find products from Sony. I have a Sony DSC T7 and I love it. 5mp is good enough for normal use.