I've got a Sony Mavica (somthing)CDR(Something)2(something)

It stores images directly to a mini-CDR.

It's 2.1mp with 6x zoom

It was $150 at ChumpUSA

I purchased what I think is a high quality "all around" digital camera for my wife last Christmas.

What was important to me were the following:

Standard batteries (as opposed to a proprietary format....Expensive!):
The camera I purchased uses AA. Can't get more standard than that. That coupled with and inexpensive 1-hour Ni-MH charger worked out great.

Standard, well accepted Memory format: SD ($64 for 256M @Costco) This format is slated to get much cheaper as they are soon releasing 1 and 2 gig versions.

Highest optical zoom for the money

Highest pixel count: IMO, more is better. You can reduce to whatever size without loss. But it doesn't work the other way around.

Fast refresh/recovery: How quickly can you snap multiple shots? My wifes camera could be better. Variables that influence this include Red eye (three flashes), use of flash in the first place, Cameras ability to store images to memory quickly. I believe most cameras will post this in specs. A SDRAM buffer is the typical approach to shortening this time (The newer version uses this technology). This aspect of the cameras performance is extremely important when taking action/moving shots.

Price: under $500

Epinions.com is a great place to read owner reviews. It influenced my purchase immensly.

BTW, the camera is a Minolta Dimage ($450 last Dec). I can't recall the model but it is the predecessor of the now highly rated S414 (approx $250).

Thank you...all of this helps.

I shoot the Nikon Cool-pix 4500. It's a 4 mega-pixel camera that has features that the most advanced amateur photographer will seldom use. It has a 4X Optical zoom and It has the ability to utilize an accessory 24mm wide angle lense, for those tight spots in small rooms or if you want to photograph an entire car and not have to stand so far away. I like the camera's articulating lense allowing for shooting pictures out of the sunroof or out the driver's window while driving. The macro capabilities of this camera are among the best in of the digital cameras allowing the 4500 to focus up to 3/4" away. I have two of the Lithium-ion battery packs as like all digital cameras the power consumption is pretty intense.
This camera takes compact flash memory cards which I keep a couple 256k and a half dozen 128k cards. It's best to see as many of these camera's as possible to see how they operate and evaluate what works best with what you want to achieve with your digital camera.

One of the best digital camera websites is www.dpreview.com. The reviews are a bit too long, but have lots of information.

To me, the key things are:
- Controls that make sense to you. Some people like on-screen menus, some people like knobs.
- Viewfinder that feels right to you. I hate holding the camera up to my face and staring at blank plastic because the viewfinder is a tiny little rectangle that isn't easily found. Of course there's the LCD, but in bright sunlight the optical viewfinder is often better.
- Size and weight appropriate for your use. You can get a tiny little thing the size of a stack of business cards, or a digital SLR that is as big as any film camera. The latter will take better pictures, but not if you leave it at home.
- Short delay between pressing the shutter button and the exposure. The dpreview reviews always measure and report this. (The delay is the auto-focus system working.)
- Short delay between one exposure and the next exposure ("shot-to-shot"). (The delay is writing the data to the storage card, or in better cameras to internal buffer memory.)
- Lots of exposures per each battery charge. (I think this is more important than the battery type. If you can take >200 pictures on one charge, and can remember to charge the camera, then you won't need to change batteries.)
- Decent pixel count. I think 4-5 megapixels is plenty for most consumer digital cameras, because as the pixel count gets higher the CCD or CMOS chip that captures the image is not getting bigger, so each receptor is getting smaller, and image quality actually starts to suffer at some point. I believe, at present, you have to get a quasi-professional-level digital camera before having more than 5 or so MP is really worthwhile. My info could be outdated, though.
- Compact Flash storage. This size card gives you a choice between solid-state flash memory and tiny hard drives (microdrives). The flash memory is more expensive ($300 for 1GB versus $200) and you'll soon be able to get microdrives in >4GB sizes. 1GB storage means you can store several hundred photos at 4 megapixel resolution, using JPG format - that would be a whole bagful of exposed film rolls.
- An adequate optical zoom range. I tend to value the ability to get a nice wide angle more than the ability to get a nice long telephoto. When you need a wide angle, there's usually no alternative. On the telephoto side, you can usually walk closer. For subjects that you can't approach (wild animals, race cars on track, etc) the telephotos in digital cameras usually aren't long enough anyway.
- If you are leaning toward a larger, more full-featured camera, then might as well consider a hotshoe for an external flash, the ability to attach accessory wide-angle and telephoto lenses.

I really like the new Canon G5, but I haven't loked at the other cameras suggested here. I also really like the latest crop of digital SLRs with interchangeable lenses (Canon and Nikon) but I'm still holding out for the technology to get better.

Digital camera technology is moving at quite a pace. Each new product has features found on more expensive cameras at lower prices. Here are a few things that come to mind when you're shopping around for a camera. Be aware that everyone's needs and priorities are a bit different:

Don't get sold on Mp specs. Like hi-fi, one can get caught up in audio power (watts), when in fact power is but only one aspect of audio "quality". Here's a link that visually shows the difference between a 2-3-4 and 5 Mp image. It's not much.

http://www.digitalsecrets.net/secrets/SizeMatters.html

I might pay more attention to:

Camera response: lag time at "shutter release", write speed after image capture and perhaps (for some) lag time from switch ON.

Range of zoom: You pay more for more range - period. Whether having a 10x zoom is important is up to you. If you're shooting car races, a longer zoom is advantageous. If you're shooting friends, family and landscapes, a shorter zoom range is all you should need.

Minimum angle of view: Most zooms have a max. wide angle view of around 35mm (35mm equivalent). In the 35mm world, that's a normal lense - not nearly wide enough for a lot of shots. I look for point-and-shoots with a wide zoom angle. Not too many, so that helps narrow the search.

Image quality: Overall, most cameras create very acceptable images. However, compared with more modestly priced cameras, some high-end cameras don't have the optics to back up their cost.

I misplaced the website that allows you to compare standardized images from two digital cameras in a split screen - big list of consumer to pro level cameras.If anyone has that URL, please let me know. Quite enlightening.

Battery type and life: I'm still partial to commonly available AA size batteries. The NiMH batteries are being made with more capacity, and the AA size compartment means alkalines are there for emergency, backup purposes. Some digital cameras, however, are very power-hungry while others can last for many hours even with the LCD screen lit.

Moveable LCD screen: Nice feature for those creative camera angles.

Budget: That's up to you. You figure out what's the biggest bang for the buck.

Here's a camera that's worth following as it's not yet released. Olympus C5060. Only 4x zoom, but the wide angle is 27mm - I believe the widest of any fixed zoom lens camera; very quick response time, moveable LCD screen. List $700. Check the independent reviews before buying.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0309/03092902olympusc5060.asp

No affiliation, just interest.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

I have one of those little metal Cannons that cost about $399 new.

The thing just rocks...very reliable, takes great shots and is made of METAL...so its very sturdy. Takes little movies too.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2001_reviews/s110.html