What's a great digital camera to buy? see details..?

I currently have a Canon PowerShot a60. I love Canon cameras. This one, however, is getting a bit dated. It's only a 2.0 megapixel. I also notice that it takes a lot of blurry pictures.

I'm interested in something new. Size does not matter to me at all. I want clear shots. I do like cameras that can take sequential pictures very quickly. I like to be able to use 'auto', but also customoize my settings (iso, aperture, shutter speed, etc).

I'll probably buy used--off of ebay or something. I can't afford anything too expensive, so don't start listed $800 cameras. :P
Any suggestions?

You have options of buying an SLR camera or a compact camera. Read on to see a third option.

SLR is Single Lens Reflex as the others have already mentioned. The image that you see from the viewfinder is captured from the main lens and reflected onto the viewfinder with an intricate arrangement of mirrors (or prisms). When you click the shutter, the mirror moves out of the way and the image is imposed on the CCD sensor. What that effectively means is that you see EXACTLY THE SAME IMAGE from the viewfinder as is captured on the CCD. That helps, doesn't it?

Disadvantages with D-DLRs (or film SLRs) range from need to have expensive lenses, no inbuilt zoom, bulky size, extremely high price (sometimes greater than $800 that you mention and even if its lesser, the cost of the lens is always additional), no image stabilization etc.

Serious photographers prefer SLR cameras because they allow hordes of manual settings and addition of filters, zoom lenses, wide angle lenses, fish eye lenses and other unimaginable things. Non-SLR cameras have come in with these features these days but those arent too many in number.

Please please please check out the Panasonic Lumix FZ-20 to get a really good camera with absolutely mindblowing features + 12x built-in optical zoom + image stabilization (very important when taking long range photos with zoom and in low light conditions) + east point-and-shoot modes for secondary users like your sister or mom or your little brother + ability to add lenses, filters, external flash....in short - the best possible combination of the features of an SLR and a compact non-SLR camera alongwith features unique to both (like image atabilization).

They have recently introduced FZ-30 which is even better and offers an extended zoom upto 19x (optical). Check out one of the sites I list below and search for both the cams.

One more thing, you should NOT need anything more than 3 megapixels for casual photography. The only advantage of having greater megapixels is the ability to take LARGE size prints. So, you might safely go in for a 5 megapixel camera and it will allow you prints as large as you might ever need.

Source(s):

www.stevesdigicams.com
www.dcresource.com
www.dpreview.com

i have a powershot s40 which is a 4 megapixel camera. for most everyday generic uses, 3 mega pixels is all you'll need. you don't need the 6 7 or 8 megapixel camera unless you're a professional photographer or really anal about your picture clarity. the clarity with my camera is great and it cost me about 300 new which was like 2-3 years ago so they should be really cheap now

I'm really happy with my Sony Cybershot p-200. It's got 7 megapixels, pretty fast burst mode, night features, and custom stuff. I'm not sure if you can have custom ISO or not...Mine was 200 dollars new, and I got a 1 GB card.

However, it's not made anymore, I think it got phased out with a newer model or something.
If you want something else, you could go around on the internet on sites that will show you cons and pros of digital cameras.
Hope this helps!

Imaging Resouce's website has an interesting tool to help us find the camera that best fit our needs. Take a look at it at http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/came...

I will sell you my Sony F707 digital SLR. 5 megapixel resolution, 10x digital zoom. Can be used all auto, or set for manual use. Sale package will come with camera, 2 memory sticks (16mb, and 128mb), Sony charging cord, users manual, the one battery that is installed in the camera, and a nice Sony carry case. Camera takes fantastic pictures with beautiful clarity and detail. My price will be $250.00, the current buy-it-now prices on ebay are 300 for this camera. My handle on ebay is qatboy, feel free to check my feedback. If you would like to communicate more about this camera, please email me at qatboy@comcast.net Thanks

Hey try the Aiptek DV5900, you can find it at there web site. This thing is packed with features. It of course does video, but does still also. It aslo has MP3 storage and a voice recorder. It has a nice digital zoom and is very compact. It also has internal memory or you can use memory cards. The best thing of all is it is not expensive. I paid just $100 for it and its worth way more then that.

I like the "near-dSLR" cameras with long zoom (10-12x), image stabilization, automatic and manual controls.

2005 models:

Sony DSC-H1 $350 5mp, 2.5 in lcd
Canon S2 IS $350 5mp, 1.8 in lcd
Panasonic FZ20 $350 5mp, 2.0 in lcd

2006 models:

Sony DSC-H5 $475 7mp, 3.0 in lcd
Sony DSC-H2 $375 6mp, 2.0 in lcd
Canon S3 IS $475 6mp, 2.0 in lcd
Panasonic FZ30 $475 8mp, 2.0 in lcd, zoom&focus rings

I have the Sony H1 and could not be happier with it!

get a used cybershot from sony with at least 6 million pixels and some manual controls ebay is a good source , but there are others , such as amazon.com new and used cameras .

Stick with Canon. They now have a 8.0 megapixel that is super.Remember you get what you pay for.

Oplympus Sp-310 all the way. This is a really great camera. you can record videos, zoom and every picture has the best quality. It has different modes for you to choose from. You can also edit and enchance your photos on your camera. You don't need a special program. You can easily plug it into your computer, printer, or tv to share or display your photos. its a erally unique camera and I enjoy using it. If you get it, you will too. =]