What digital camera shall I buy?

I bought an Olympus FE170 camera 8 months ago and I'm so disappointed with that camera.Yes there are many options like image stabilization etc but trust me the pics are sooo bad.I tried taking pictures using all the possible options that this camera had and still the photos are terrible.Anyway, few of my friends have canon cameras and they told me that I should definitely go for canon.I saw some photos that they have taken with their canon cameras and the pixel analysis was great and it came as a surprise when I heard that these photos were taken with just a 3 MP camera.Anyway now I want to buy a new camera and I was thinking of canon but all opinions are accepted and much appreciated! I don't want to spend more than 300$...I just want to take clear and vivid photos! :)

For those who blame me of ignorance the only think I have to say is that I HAVE INDEED read the user's manual many many times and the fact that my olympus camera is not good was also verified by other 2 PROFESSIONAL photographers who themselves used my camera and couldn't believe that the pics were so bad.I didn't want to make such a big deal about it since by question was not "how bad do you think olympus cameras are?", but I won't tolerate such assaults since nobody knows me.Besides user's and professional's reviews found online, confirm everything I said about that camera.Too bad I didn't read those before.

Camera buying is not an easy decission... there are few things which you need to answer yourself before purchasing a camera..

1. First what is your budget (which u have told US $300).

2. Secondly are there any features u absolutely require like image stabilitization, macro mode, full manual control etc.?

3. Thirdly what type of shooting you will be doing with it normally. like landscape, taking pics of sports event, of children. Different cameras behave differently under different shooting environment.

4. what size of the camera you need. pocketable or little bigger will also do.?

I have two generic model which work good under wide variety of situation..

One is Canon PowerShot A710 IS (smaller size versatile and very good result)
Other is Sony DSC-H5 (a little bigger but excellant result, sony has more vibrant result mostly)

Below i have added the link where u can short list the cameras based on your requirement/preference
and on the second link you can compare these cameras side by side and see their user reviews and other things.

I am sure this will help you in finding the best camera for your requirement. They have sample photos also.

Thats really a very good choice... i m sure you will really enjoy shooting with it and will appreciate its results. Report It

Any model of SONY would be my choice anytime. I have been using Sony digital for many years and have been very happy with its performance and the quality of the pictures. It's a Sony... as the ad says!

Go on cnet.com

This website will help you figure the right digital camera for you
Click on this link

http://reviews.cnet.com/Digital_cameras/...

Canon A530 is the thing for you. 5 megapixels with 4x zoom. picture quality is terrific and the price is not high..

I suggest go with the Canon PowerShot
A630. 4 x optical zoom, 8 megapixels, and will give you an excellent 8X10 print.
PS Is your setting on best megapixel setting (highest) and your ISO setting on it's lowest like 80 or 100?
I myself own a Sony and love the 8X10 prints it produces at only 6 megapixels. So, yes consider Sony also. I don't believe my camera is sold anymore Sony Cybershot
DSC-H2.

IMO you need to sit down and study your Owner's Manual.

People always blame the camera for poor results when its usually their lack of skill in operating the camera that causes poor results. You could spend 10 times your budget and get the same results as you're getting with your Olympus if you don't learn how to use the camera.

Digital cameras aren't "magical." They are just light-tight boxes with a lens mount, a shutter and a light meter. Turning it on and pointing it at a subject and releasing the shutter doesn't make you - or anyone else - a "photographer." Knowing how to use light and ISO and shutter speeds and f-stops and good composition makes you a photographer.

So get the Owner's Manual for your Olympus and begin studying it one feature/setting at a time. Learn how to use that feature/setting and then go to the next one.

sony is the best

I have a Canon SD1000, and I absolutely love it! It's 7.1MP, the design is small and sleek, and it takes great pictures! With tons of user friendly settings. It's less than $300
canon.com
amazon.com

go get the pantax m40, not bad ,i just bought for my boss, it had 8 mega pixels,3x optical zoom,anti shake... now offer at $199, i bought it at audio house..

Casio Z75 or Z1050 is a great choice, nice and thin, lightweight, shoots photos and video with sound. Easy to use controls and a 2.5" screen to view.

www.besybuy.com
www.samys.com (my favorite)
ww.costco.com
Recommend a Scandisk memory card, about 2GB.
Check you Sunday paper for ad sales or coupons.