Looking for digital camera.....any ideas?

You don't need a whole hell of a lot of megapixels. 4 to 6 or 7 is fine. If you're coming out of 35mm and many times changed shutter speed, then you'd want aperture/shutter priority. For under $200- between $150 to $170- is the Canon PowerShot A570 IS. It has aperture/shutter priority, also image stabilizer for shaky hands. 4X optical zoom, 7 megapixels.

There are cameras out there with super zooms such as 10X and 12X optical zoom. Almost always more money than $200-.The A570 IS at 4X optical zoom= 35mm to 140mm in terms of 35mm zoom.

Your expense is not Quite done yet. You'll need to but a memory card. The more memory, the more photos it holds and you'll need to buy rechargeable batteries.AA alkaline batteries are not designed for digital cameras. AND you will need to charge batteries Before you insert them in camera.

Website dpreview.com shows reviews of many cameras and prices.

PS Brands to choose from are Sony, Canon, Fuji, Nikon and Panasonic.

I am by no means a camera expert, actually just the opposite but I am constantly amazed at how great of pictures my Kodak Z7590 takes. I do not think that model is still for sale but the newer Z or DX models are all about the same. They have bigger zoom than many 10x-12x, are a big seller, and decently priced. You could certainly get one at well under $500 but since you mention you would spend $500 maybe you are looking for something a little more. For $300-$400 you could get the Kodak camera with all accessories (dock, case, etc) If you want a good everyday use camera with a good zoom then I would go with the Kodak.

Go to the website: dpreview.com

It will answer all the questions about every digital

camera out there. It will also give you consumer

reviews on all of the cameras which is very useful.

Then you can see what ordinary people think of

the cameras they just purchased.

Good Luck!

just 6 months ago i had the same problem as you, but with some help and questions i found that for my home use i bought a total of 4 different cameras for me and for different gifts for family whom are all very happy. i paid only from $100 to $200 mostly $100 for a couple that where on sale at office depot and target. each had about 5 mega pixs which is used only for when you want to enlarge a picture lets say for a large picture to keep clarity. lens shutter speed is more important as well as shutter speed, lets say 1/2 second is good. also plan on buying a separate photo card that can take up to about 600 pictures. don't let the salemen talk you into extended warrantys, more expensive photo cards, camera bags and so on as these people can be like a car sales man. also i bought a canon, nikon, and a 2 hp cameras.

I just bought a Sony Cybershot with 7.2 megapixels. Got it on sale at target for $120-also picked up a memory card for $30 bucks. I can take about 200+ pics before I have to erase. It is a great camera for the money.

i believe nikon is a good, if not the best, in digital cameras. i have the Nikon L4, it's good because it has lots of options for all kind of photos, and this is a characteristic for all nikon cameras. get one over 6 megapixels. the bigger the number of them is, the larger you can print your photos/you can zoom into them more after you took them. however, a 6Megapixel camera is already good for most of the people. try buy one with batteries, and not one with built-in accumulators, cause it's more handy i believe. the most important is the brand and the number of megapixels. also pay attention at the zoom, to be powerfull. if they say anything about the lenses, something special, it's even better. NIKON rulz!

well - this one is 199.84

its the sanyo Xacti cg6 - at walmart

it takes up to 6 megapixle pics (all you need - after that u cant even send em over the internet - u have to downsize em) and is also an awesome digital camcorder - 5x op. zoom with god knows how much digital zoom

its very small and pertable and u can take some video while ur at it

very easy to use !!

find it here i at this websight

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_...

good luck

For $200 you can get a real good camera.

The best is to go to the official sites of camera manufacturers, to find a model that fits you best.

Then search for the model on Google to find shops that sell it, and so you can see the price.

Sony! They work the best!

i suggest one that has easy usb accessability, especially since you want to print your photos out.

ones that have the usb port built in them (without the cord) are MUCH easier.

hope i helped, and good luck finding one you like :)

get a cheap digital camera