I don't know what to look for...

[ShaunaAZ]

i don't know what to look for in a camera. all i know is that i want a compact, digital, easy-to-use camera. not very specific, i know, but it would be mainly just for point & shoot purposes.

[G M Fude]

You haven't mentioned what your budget is, Shauna, but let's assume you have a reasonable amount to spend or you would not be considering Canon.

I'll take a punt and recommend something like a Powershot A610 (partly 'cos a mate just bought one for his wife for Christmas and she's absolutely delighted with it).

It takes a photo of quite exceptional quality for a point-and-shoot and really is a bit of a no-brainer in use. Although to get the best out of its remarkable features you'd definitely be well advised to read the manual!

Best of all, it also has the capability to be a pretty good camera for anyone who wants to experiment with their shots. So if you get bitten by the photography bug, you also have a camera that will allow you to become more involved in the hobby, without thinking "Damn... I should have bought something more advanced - now I gotta buy another camera."

The A610 can be a compact and quality point-and-shoot, or it can be a serious potographic tool as well. Up to you. Check out a review with photos here (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/a610.html).

[mgreenlee]

I'm Shaunas Dad and the price range would be $200-300. Don't want her to start 20D:lol: I'd have to borrow it. Thanks

[SuzyView]

I bought my sons a A510, now the 520 and that is only $200 so you can buy a few memory cards while you're at the store. I keep that little camera in my purse, believe it or not, without any cover and it is one solid thing. The pictures are good, it's top rated for point and Shoot and it is not a tragedy if it breaks.

SuzyView - and have fun!

[G M Fude]

..price range would be $200-300...
Okay, that's what I guessed. A510 an excellent suggestion; A610 maybe offers a little more flexibility for extended use. Both are rugged and compact and both take very high quality shots. I'm sure I saw an A610 advertised on the web by Walmart for US$260.

[august23]

Why does everyone praise the A610 over the A620? Not talking about this persons issue but in general everyone seems to like the A610 more. Is it because of the price difference? Or is the A610 a better camera for some reason?

[Jon]

One thing is that, frankly, for a pocket camera 5 MP is plenty. It'll make you fine 8x10 prints. The sensors are physically the same size in the two cameras, but the pixels are much smaller on the A620, and with smaller pixels, all else being equal (and all else is, in these cameras) you get more noise at any given ISO setting. So why spend the extra $100 or so for more megapixels than you'll almost ever want? For snapshotting, my A80 with 4 MP does fine.