I am looking for a digital camera that takes good sports and portrait shots ...?

I have two digital cameras, one is a 3MP large-ish, one is a 4MP subcompact, and I'm looking for a new one. I have a toddler, so I would like to be able to take shots quickly (maybe a sports mode?) with minimal time between shots. I also would like to take the portrait shots that have a tight depth of focus, so that my subject is in focus, and the background is nice and blurry. (like the pro's do). I do prefer something small that I can carry around easily, but I noticed that my subcompact doesn't take as good portraits or indoor photos as my older, bigger camera, someone told me the bigger camera's have more flash power. oh, and i would like something with a good amount of zoom (8x or more) not digital zoom.

anyone able to recommend a camera? i primarily will be using it to capture my toddler growing up, and scenery on vacation. so i want to be able to print 8x10's from it. thanks!

Get a Nikon D50. There is no delay between pictures at all and no delay between the time you press the btton and the camera takes the picture. It has a few "consumer friendly" automatic modes, including a "child" mode, that make it very easy to use, but still offers total photographic control when you are ready to take charge. The "kit" lens is a decent lens optically, so it is a good place to start for your stated purposes. When you are ready to add lenses, the sky is the limit with Nikon.

Get a 1 GB memory card, such as the Sandisk "Ultra" for decent write speed. You can get these in the $35 range, after rebates.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Ni...

Circuit City has it for $700, with the lens.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Nikon-D50...

Walmart has it for $660.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

juss go to to walmart n buy one.

i highly recomend a kodak camera its disposable but you can use it underwater and its an 800 speed and has the clearest pictures it works great you can get them at wal-mart k-mart cvs rite aid and wallgreens

sony cybershot or anything with an anti blur, also look for a high mega pixel like 8 or something, and the new ones come with all kinds of features, just got to sears or walmart to look around and ask lots of questions

Base on your requirements, I suggest either the Canon PowerShot S3 IS or the Sony DSC-H5. Both are not as big as a DSLR, have 12X zoom, able to produce tight depth of field (portrait), optical Image stabilization (you'll need it at 12X zoom). I am more favor towards the Canon since the the Sony DSC-H5 comes short on the shutter speed and brust rate compare to the Canon. Both do take AA battery which is great to bring it to vacation. And at 6+ MP, there won't be a problem to print 8x10's.

You definitely need a digital SLR. Its the only way to get the response speed you need. Canon is the brand I prefer because they are more innovative. You can get a used canon dSLR like the d60 on ebay for around $300-$400. If you can spend more you can look into the newer models. Good Luck