What is a good digital camera (preferences: high megapixel, high optical zoom, price range uder $300)?

I am rather disappointed in my Olympus ... particularly the not user-friendly design (with the retractable cover which also serves as the power switch). So I am looking to upgrade. Any suggestions?

Well I just bought a Kodak Z730 and took it to cancun for 5 days. I am very happy with it so far. I included the links to the kodak site for the best info as well as the site which I used to find the best price and the site I used to get ratings. The camera was rated the best 5 MPS camera as well as the best under 300.00 camera as well. I feel that the only camera better than kodak is the Nikon's but that is more for serious photographers and the prices show it. The other line of kodak camera's is great also. Some of the main differences if you compare them is the screen size, the zoom abilities, the manual operations and the internal memory. I over bought for what we "needed" but it has the ability to be as much camera as I would ever need as it is a prosumer rated camera.
If you would like I can email you some pics from it. it also takes 80 mins (depending on memory) of video with sound. I took 30 mins worth in cancun

Good luck

Fuji Finepix S3100.

I have it and it works great. Not as high as some on the megapixels but if you aren't blowing the pictures up past 8x10 then you are ok. It has a high optical zoom as well as a great digital zoom.

You can also attatch filters and you can purchase a telephoto and a panoramic (wide) len for it.

Paid about $230 for it before tax, batteries ect...

Fujifilm Finepix S5000 Z. 3.1 megapixels, 10x zoom, around $180. very userfriendly, i love mine. have had it for 3 years, no problems with it at all.

Check the Camera program on QVC - they have good buys and good explanations.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6501_7-0.ht...