Need help with camera choice....?

i'm getting a camera for someone's b-day and i have 2 here and would like for people to give their opinions on what to get. one is an olympus 10x total seamless zoom, 5.1 megapixel, 1.8" display and comes with the printer. the second is more expensive and it is an hp m417, 21x total zoom 3 optical/7 digital 1.8" display and also comes with a printer. the more expensive one would be better right? and what do i need on the side with these cameras...do they need memory cards? or should i just go with a sony dsc-ws 5.1 megapixel, 6x total zoom, carl zeiss vario-tessar lens, pictbridge compatible, 2.5" display...and it comes with a free 256mb memory stick pro. anyone please...thank you.

ok thanks people but...i am on a budget remember. i won't pay more than $250 for one.

If zoom is important to you then stick to the one with more optical zoom. Digital zoom can basically be done in computer if you wanted to (via resize, crop etc) and is normally avoided. Therefore based on your 2 choices, the Olympus would be my pick.

The more expensive one is not necessarily the better one. It could just be the one that incurred a higher overhead in maufacturing or the one with more marketing dollars thrown at it.

Besides the camera and printer, more memory would always be nice. Most bundled memory cards (if any) are measly 32/64mb versions. Good for 3-4 pictures at today's resolution. A good carrying case/bag would also help keep the camera in good shape in transit. Throw in a cleaning kit and you're set to go.

Canon S2 IS hands down. Awesome camera. http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/pss2is/compo...

Buy Panasonic FZ30 ,with 10X optical Zoom ,with optical image stabilzer,with 8 mp,with big fully swivel LCD,with Lieca lense,with Hot Shoe for external Flash ,with very good battery,with best price and with lot more see it yourself..

Try dpreview.com for great reviews of digital cameras. I'd get Canon S2 or S3.