I am looking to spend about $300 on a didgital camera, what is the best option?

Canon cameras have the best quality and features check out the canon sd 630 or if you want to spend a little bit less but with great picture quality get the Canon sd 600...the 630 is a new model that will eplace the 600...

All of the major brands have their fans, and I have no doubt that they are all good cameras. The only camera available at the moment that I would stay away from is the Fuji S9500. I bought one and the photos are just not sharp and clear. (More than the price you mentioned anyway)

Take your time looking, they are getting better and cheaper as time goes by.

Optical zoom is the most important thing, get the most you can for your money.

Digital zoom is a complete waste of time, do not consider this as a factor when buying a camera. Once you have bought a camera, turn digital zoom off.

Get the most megapixels you can for your money.

As a very rough rule of thumb when comparing your final choices in camera, take the number of megapixels and multiply that by the amount of optical zoom. Buy the camera with the highest number.

Try to avoid a camera that uses two 'AA' batteries (except perhaps the Kodaks that can use the CR3 Lithium ion Battery Pack). Get a camera that either uses four, or one with its own dedicated Lithium Ion battery pack. (If you want to keep it for a long time, check the price and availability of replacement batteries. perhaps ebay?)

I have an Olympus Stylus 720 SW. It is 7.1 megapixel with a 3.0 optical zoom. Waterproof to 10 feet and drop proof to 5 ft. on all axis. The case is all metal. It's dimensions are 3.5" x 2.25" x .75" The viewing screen is almost 3" diagonally (2.25" x 2.0") Best Buy has them for a little more than 300. Great camera, pix, durable, and compact!

Our Canon Powershot, with the plastic case, shattered after being dropped accidentally.

Get a Canon Powershot whatever you do. Canon is the best choice for digital cameras.

Along with reading various reviews, check on the website called "epinions" for user's comments on their digital cameras. The website is shown below.

Any manufacturer will offer good quality cameras at this price. Check out: http://www.dpreview.com/ for reviews and prices.

1.if u need zoom capability 10x or more

panasonic lumix dmz fz7

2compact + zoom nikon COOLPIX S4

3.compact and low light fuji finefix f30

by they way ...you got a lot of money eeh..

not such a good idea. with that money you can buy an ipod. i've seen digital cameras for 100-150 and 2 me thats a good deal. dont do it and find a differ camera

Kodak C433 Easyshare. I bought it at Wal*Mart for $104.00 (including the tax). If you buy an Sd memory card for $20.00 you get more pics.

Definitely go with a Sony Cybershot. Go to your favorite store and find one for your $300 price and you will not be sorry.