What digital cameras should I buy / are out there?

So what options are out there for me? I'm looking for a $200-300 digital camera that is slim in size & can fit into a purse/pocket. I would prefer 5x Optical or more, though slim size may prevent this & I might have to settle for 3-4x. I just want enough MP to cover I'm flexible on MP; I just want something that can cover the standard photo sizes. I'm not looking for professional quality, but I would like clear pictures with crisp colors for both indoors and out. Batteries need to be rechargeable (rechargeable AA's or a battery special to the camera). The viewing screen doesn't need to be too large, just something bigger than stamp size and readable. The ability to switch to a non-digital viewing screen is a plus. Camera needs to double as a video camera that can also take sound with tolerable quality. Nothing spectacular Memory: Would prefer a type of memory that is common and not some obscure brand. Image stablization would be prefered as well as USB-friendly.

Check out DPReview.com for the latest info on digital cameras.

Forgot about this question. For future viewers, while DPReview is thorough, it's not for casual buyer. It is termonology heavy-even with a glossery. There's a DPR buying guide, but like the rest of the site, it's best for those who know the details. Report It

After this question was closed, someone recommended this site which I have found to be more beginner user friendly: http://www.myproductadvisor.co... Report It

Canon A540, Go GO GO.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Canon-Pow...

I,m sure there are many sites on line that review and rate such items but personally I have found CNET to be a useful and informative site.

I would recommend pretty much any model from canon. They have good lenses and good overall interface. Price is good, and operation is straightforward. I have had a few canon cameras, and the OVERALL quality has been great... photos great, hardware, software, interface... all great. I would hesitate to buy any other brand without doing more investigation.

Spend a bit more and get the Canon 800 SDis. Fabulous camera.

It's good you're going for a large optical zoom. The Panasonic Lumix has a 10 x optical zoom, and I don't know how they manage to do it, but this camera is still pretty slim. The bigger the viewing screen is, the more energy it takes, but I don't know the Lumix well enough that I can tell anything about the viewing screen or the ability to be used as a video camera.
Another important point: digital cameras take the picture with some delay after you've pressed the button, while analogue cameras release the shutter instantaneously. Look that this delay is not too long.
A good thing to have is an image stabilizer, but I don't know a camera for $200-300, that has that. Perhaps you pay a bit more to get this feature?
As for batteries: all cameras that work with AA or AAA type batteries will also work with rechargebles of good quality (AA 2500 mA or higher, AAA at least 1300 mA).

"Slim look" and "good zoom" don't really go together, so I'll give you some suggestions for a "slim look," allowing you to choose how much you spend, and then one for a "good zoom," which is neither slim nor cheap, but an excellent choice.

First of all, let me say that the first three camera all have "decent" zoom, but not the killer zoom of the S3 IS.

Here's your list:

Canon Powershot SD600
Canon Powershot SD700-IS
Canon Powershot SD800-IS

Here's a page to get average price information as well as all the specifications:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_...

There might be other "better" cameras out there, but as you cen see by the star ratings, these are all very good cameras. As I have been writing recommendations for a few months now, I actually find myself attracted to the SD700-IS as a replacement for my current "pocket" camera.


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

Check out: http://www.dpreview.com for a lot of information and prices - really good site because they don't sell anything.

Also Casio and Pentax have the slimest digital cameras out there (they actually use some of the same parts too - interesting...)

For image stablization I would recommend the Pentax A10. It works pretty well. I was impressed.
(P.S. I just fix 'em - I don't sell 'em)

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content...

Go to "E-pinions.com" and ask for opinions about various cameras that you have seen advertised.