Buying digital camera and can't decide which brand to go with. Can only spend about $200.00 Sony or Cannon or

I also need to make sure it has black/white option. And my old camera takes a long time to take the picture. Is there anything more instant from the time to push the button to take picture, to when it actually takes the image?

You could check out http://greatpcdeals.com/ for a good deal on a Sony or Cannon. My husband gets our electronics/computer stuff from here for reasonable prices. They sell digital cameras too. I think they both Sony and Cannon are pretty compatible cameras. Many digital cameras have an "auto" or "manual" feature. If you have it on the manual feature, the picture will be taken more instantaneously, than when on the auto feature where there is a delay.

You can also try this sight for good deals...
http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1886335-103...

Good luck!

Go for an HP digital camera. If you want absolute instant when you press the button, then get one that has a MANUAL lens focusing. The delay time on the cameras nowadays is the auto-focusing delay.

I got a Kodak digital camara and it's awesome. I don't know how much it was since my parents bought it for me for my birthday but Kodak is a good brand so is Cannon and Sony. I'm not sure about the Black and white option since mine doesn't have it. I'd read and do research out information on them before you buy one.

I like my Kodak Easy Share! At only 5mp it takes pretty decent pics and does have B&W option. Relatively inexpensive and very easy to use!

Try DSC-w50 from Sony. It has 6.0 Megapixels a great screen of 2.5 Inches and has the ability to take black and white Pictures.
As a matter of fact it is pretty quick when capturing images and has many functions that you will definitely like. I bought it for 220$. But it had a very little memory so if you dont have you should buy and a memory card. I bought 1GB for 45$, and i can connect it directly to my laptop... Great technology. I definetely recommend this camera..!

Canons and Sony's are good, but you do pay a bit extra for the name brand. At $200, you're scraping the bottom of the barrel for 'high quality' digicams. However there is one product that stands apart in the price range.

You can get a Fuji F20 for $165. (in fact, I've seen it at times from circuit city on sale for ~$130). That, plus an xD card (1Gb ~ $35) will keep it under $200.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

The Fuji is a high quality camera, is unique in its ability to take high ISO photos (low light sensitivity) and is very responsive, both on startup and autofocus.

Kodak is out... toss up between Sony and Canon although I own a Sony. Best bet Morey 000 idea of that Fugi. They DO make quality cameras or I wouldn't have bought my daughter a Fugi for Christmas.

Nikon makes a CoolPix for around $150 - nice, small camera with good results.

fuji make the best cameras, actually.. canon just advertise more. you want to look at shutter lag.. something that has a fireworks option, perhaps. black n white is standard these days.

Sony cybershot I have 3 for sale now on ebay. http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrpp...

Get the Panasonic Lumix LZ3 or LZ5. I've got the LZ5 and it's excellent. It uses AA batteries, SD cards, can do B/W and Sepia shots, video with audio, is 6 megapixels, has 6x optical zoom, and true white-balance. Not to mention the best image stabilization available right now.

But don't buy a digital camera second hand (no eBay or used sales) unless you know the seller personally, and can rely on him/her to be 100% honest about what you're getting for your money. There are too many things that could possibly go wrong with something as delicate as a digital camera, especially if it's ever been dropped.

Shutter lag has greatly improved in the last several years.

You can always do B&W conversion in post processing, either through your own image working program if you're printing at home, or in the digital kiosk at the photofinisher.

You can research cameras at www.dpreview.com or www.stevesdigicams.com to see specs, performance stats, and reviews and recommendations.

I'd probably get the best Canon I could afford.

Good luck!