I need help finding a digital camera.?

I have never had a digital camera before. I am going to be in Costa Rica for a year. I want something fairly light, durable and compact. Uses SD memory and records video/audio. I want more than 3X zoom (preferred, not necessary) and a rechargeable battery. I will be using it both indoors and out. I have been looking around for a while. I like a lot of things about the Panasonic TZ5, but a have read a number of customer reviews that are dissatisfied. What are some cameras that are similar I should look at? I would like to spend under $300.

I'd go with the Nikon s550
It has 10 Megapixels
5x optical zoom
It uses SD or SDHC memory cards
Records video with sound
Uses a rechargeable battery
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...
Nikon is one of the top three brands on the market and has excellent image quality.

You have to get the Nikon Coolpix L18. It works beautifully! The pictures turn out awesome in dark lighting and in daylight. Your Costa Rica pictures will turn out awesome. I have this camera and I can personally tell you this is the best! it has an image stabilizer which means if something moves suddenly on accident, it wont turn out blurry...

go to best buy or any electronic store and try this camera out and see for yourself! it's the best!

or go to
bestbuy.com
and search
Nikon Coolpix L18

there, you can look at the features and the description of the camera

i hope you choose the best camera for you!

Look at the fujifilm S700. It is only at the most 200$ and its good for the money. It has; 10X optical zoom, u can zoom in video mode, 7 mp, (EVF) Electronic View finder which is good for many things, Image stabilazation, Optional fully auto mode or fully manual mode, ISO is up to 1600, the higher the ISO the better u can see in areas with poor lights, it's a super zoom and its also very easy to use and hold. Trust me get this camera, look it up on google or somthin

I just bought a Kodak Easy Share about 3-4 months ago at walmart for $90 It uses Sd memory video record audio great pictures, this is actually my second one I wore my first one out I used it for several years alot. It comes in various colors mine is pink and really light. Oh I forgot to mentionit is 3X optical zoom and 6.2 mega pixels

I'm fond of the Kodak Easy Share. The menu system on most modles is really easy to use. If you don't care about the brand, then I would go for ease of use. Go to Best Buy or somewhere and try them out. It's a big purchase and you'll probably have it for some years.

I love my Olympus my pictures are always in focus and clear. I am not sure about the new one but the brand has always been easy to use and down load. Also the Canon sure shot has gotten excellant reviews from consumers. Enjoy drj

the sony cybershot is one that i have and always carry it in my purse easy to charge and takes great pics it's under 200.00 another is cannon anything cannon is a good pic.

hotdealoutlet.com good luck!

Glad to see you have an idea what you want in a digicam. You might also want to consider the following:

1). An optical viewfinder is very useful for those times when it's difficult to see your subject on your screen, i.e. a distant face in a crowd; too sunny to see subjects in the LCD screen; fast action shots. It can help conserve power of your camera by periodically turning off the LCD screen and using the optical viewfinder. This feature seems to be important to some, (me included), but to others, not necessary. (This is where IS [Image Stabilization] comes in. Helpful if your camera does not have an optical vierfinder.)

2). Don't get sucked in by the more MP (megapixels [10 and above]), the camera has, the better. It is not always the case. 5-6 mp is sufficient for most.

Don't forget to consider in your budget: Rechargeable batteries and extra memory cards/sticks. Good to have if your camera also takes video. Nothing more frustrating than running out for memory space on your card/stick.

Here are some of the brands you should consider when looking for a camera that meets your needs: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fujifilm, Kodak, Pentax. They have models that can fit any budget.

When you've narrowed your choices down to a few models, go to your local electronic/camera merchants like Best Buy, RadioShack, Circuit City, Ritz, etc...or even Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Costco, Sam's Club, or consider your office supply stores that have a camera dept., OfficeMax, Staples, Office Depot. Or check on-line. A good place is B&H.

Enjoy Costa Rica!