Can anyone give me digital camera recommendations?

Hi there!

I need camera recommendations, and I figured this was the best place to go!

I'm not a photographer or anything, so I don't need something that's 30 megapixels- I'm more of looking to take pictures of friends and places I go to show my family and friends. I don't want something that's going to look like crap though, so I want at least 5 megapixels.

I also am looking at expense - I'd like it to be under $200, but I'll go up to $250 if it's really what I need.

Also, one that accepts xD cards (Fugifilm and Olympus are the brands I know of) is preferred, but not needed.

Thank you for your help!

Since you mention Olympus, why not one from their Stylus SW series? They are water proof and shock proof so you can worry less about using them and take pictures anywhere and everywhere with them.

I can give you tons of recommendations!

First of all I would not go with xd cards because they are going to be the next type that "goes obsolete". Most companies that used to make cameras compatible with xd cards are converting over now. It is very possible that you can find an olympus or fuji that takes both xd and sd. Then you can use your (most likely) already owned xd cards and switch to sd when the time comes without purchasing a new camera!

As far as the number of megapixels, that totally depends on what size prints you will make and how much editing you will do to your pictures.

If you plan to crop alot of backgound off of your pictures before you print them, that is going to lower your number of megapixels.

The more you plan to crop off of a picture, the higher the megapixels you should get.

Most people are purchasing 5 or 6 megapixels right now. You should be able to find a great 5 or 6 megapixel camera in your price range!

Feel free to email me if you have more questions! I have been selling cameras for 5 years! :)

Over the last few years I've gone through several cameras for work and pleasure and can say without a doubt go for a recognised camera brand, IE Nikon, Pentax, Konica Minolta. I've had all of the above and all take fantastic pictures and are very reliable. My last purchase I broke the rule and bought a Sony dsc200 which is most disappointing. Shutter broke after 7 shots and picture quality not as good as previous cameras.

The Cannon Digital Ixus seiries is really good - i have one from it. Its 7 mega pixels, really hard-wearing and durable and the colours are awesome. It has a lot of modes, that you can use for almost everything. Cannon is also a well known trusted brand, so i definatly reccomend this. I bought mine for 拢130 ($250) but it definatly would be cheaper in the US. You could look for the model that suits you. Hope i helped