Digital camera for personal use?

I have a normal click and print camera bought some 15 years back. On this i have to print photos by giving the negatives at a photo studio. I am planning to buy a digital camera for storing photos on the pc and priting them only if required. I need info on the following.

1. how does a digital camera work.
2. What are the basic features one should look out for. I need only for family vacations and parties.
3. Any recommendations on the brand to go in for
4. What is the ideal price range one should go in for. Dont want a very high end one.

Really appreciate someone helping with the information

it should come with rechargeable batteries and charger. go for 5.0 megapixles or higher for a good quality image. U can now get a cheaper one for around 拢35 but if u want a good picture quality then it is better to go for one about 拢100-拢300. Only go for top-brands like Sony, Phillips, casino, etc... Digital Cams work by taking a picture and then storing it straight on the memory so u can instantly view it and make sure u don't need to take another one. when arrive back to you're computer then u can download onto you're hard drive, print them, e-mail to you're mates etc..

sony handycam series
or
casio 500 series
i have the sony dsc-t5 handycam the newer one has better stabilizing for shaky hands. it does both jpg photos and records video. any one you choose should use added memory like a duo stick or a sd card. if you fill up the memory pop another card in and keep going. the version i have has many adjustments similar to a slr , the box does not mention this i do not know why since it would help sell it. i used it for filming my wedding and reception. th eperson holding the camera had very shaky hands and you see only minor movement in parts of the recording. to see go to www.myspace.com/jeannebennett i posted the reception on the page. mega pixels the more the better mine is 5mp.

sony and make sure you get one that lasts a long time on batteries. digital cameras eat batteries

I have the Minolta Z6 I love it. mine is a pricier model $350. personally you should be looking for one with image stability, and depending on the size print you want to make a 5 or 6 mega pixel. 5 mgp = good 5x7 and smaller. 6mgp i have heard can do good 16x20's. another thing to look out for is optical zoom. I was told by the guy's at Ritz the best digital cameras come from camera companies. I know that Nikon, Minolta, Fuji, and Sony make good ones. one of the best places to compare different models is cnet.com it helped me. Good luck.

japan

Sony, Minolta, Canon and Nikon are good brands. Basically, the more shooting modes and megapixels, the better. 3.2 megpixels and above are good enough for personal use. Choose one with good image stability and at least 3x optical zoom. Digital zooms are worthless and just decrease picture quality. Buy a camera with a big LCD screen, for ease of use. Those are all you basically need to remember.

I'd say canon makes good digital cameras.maybe 200 to 300 is an ideal price range. the 1st site below is a canon website, the 2nd is something on how a digital camera works.