What is the best compact digital camera for $250?

a camera that has both good quality, and focus. A camera that will take good artistic photographs also.

If you value good picture quality and artistic freedom (to change camera settings), the Fuji FinePix E900 is an excellent choice for $250. It is still widely available. It even shoots RAW format, if you care about such things. Still, it is small enough to take with you in a pocketbook. Another way in which it stands out is that it takes decent pictures in poorly lit situations where other cameras in that price range would show noisy results. Check the reviews in PC Magazine, Consumer Reports and Pop Photo.

See your pictures at a gallery, perhaps.

For image quality- I'd easily go with the Fuji F31fd.

For artistic photos, the 28mm wide angle cameras might be a good idea. The panasonics (TZ3, FX01 and other FX's), or perhaps the Canon SD800IS. Good camera- but a lousy lens with terrible corner softness.

Even though I personally own this camera, I would still like to highly recommend the purchase of a Nikon Coolpix L10 for the following reasons:

1. Besides taking well-exposed hi-quality 5 megapixel pictures, it uses a standard set of rechargeable double AA batteries which last a very long time;
2. Has a 3x optical zoom;
3. The flash setting for "red-eye" correction is on the navigator wheel and not within a submenu;
4. It's very small and light;
5. Uses inexpensive SD memory cards;
6. The digital video feature takes wonderful "sound" videos which are noise free. It records the piano very well with it's built-in microphone;
7. It comes with a USB 2.0 transfer cable which you connect to your USB computer port;
8. And the price is a mere $120 [sold at Samy's Camera - www.samyscamera.com, and Staples.com.]

Good luck!

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions