I would agree, if you really want to get into photography, get a good SLR Digital....but....expensive.
I have 7 cameras, ranging from a very compact, usable and quite good Nikon digital "point and shoot" (P50) for under $200, up to a full Nikon SLR with three AF zoom lenses, tripods, timers, timed flashes, etc., as well as other regular film cameras Nikon, Leica, Chinon, etc.
I still maintain that for quick "on the spot" easy to carry, set up and shoot,
you can't beat the Nikon P50 or the new just out P60. Canon is good, but in my experience Nikon is better.
In any case, things to look out for is MEMORY....either on initial mem card or or for sure the ability to purchase additional memory cards so you always have enough capacity. Other things...make sure that the zoom capability is sufficient for your use (3X, 5X, 10X etc), that the rechargeable battery in the camera is sufficient for hundred or so shots w/wo flash, and that that you can easily upload the images to your computer without a lot of 'twain devices' or program changes. The Nikon system, for example, will upload the images directly as .jpg files. If you were planning on making 8X10 or larger prints, you may want .tif or .gif imagery. If you want to use files to make a digital photo album, send emails, post on websites, etc. the .jpg is fine.
Last edited by CarterB on Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:48 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Bring back the Slumbercoaches!!