Which digital camera is the best to purchase for a beginner?

Go for the Canon A540

Around $150

4X optical zoom
6 megapixel
Good Battery Life

Believe me just use the automatic setting and you'll be shooting like a pro..

This camera has setting for the shore, snow, different lighting conditiions.. You'll have a ball with this one!

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_revi...

Kodak EasyShare with a printer dock. It takes very good quality pictures and it's not that expensive either:)

They have a few different kinds, too so you can get one that fits what you need and what fits your budget.

I would look at www.dpreview.com and see what you would like. If you do not know what you like then read the reviews for various cameras (they have hundreds of reviews) and see what the best bang for your buck ison there. All software is pretty much irrelevant if you use the windows or microsoft software. Any camera can be used with those and I find it quicker and easier than most softwares that come with cameras.

If you've never taken photos before, you would probably be happy with most models. But if you're used to shooting film, you need to realize that most digital camera will have a lag time between pressing the shutter and capturing the image. (The amount of time varies with the camera model, and it might not be a concern for you, depending on what type of photography you take.) I think the reviews mentioned earlier might be a good place to check.

Olympus FE - 170
its a very good camera for beginners because i have one and it is vry good aswell 6.0 million pixels 3x optical 2inch screen and it is thin. it is so easy to use, when you flip from menu to menu it tells you on screen what it is and simple buttons.