A40 a good choice? Help the new kid

[Redboy]

Greetings

I realise you pro's must get loads of this type of message but any advice would be greatly appreciated - I do feel quite lost!

I'm trying to decide on my first digital. It will be used in the main for point and shoot (I want 3x optical zoom), I'd also like the option of some manual control (in the hope of getting some nice night/sun set/misty morning type shots - I love capturing this type of subject). Very importantly I am interested in the quality of shots of people taken at close range with the flash in almost total darkness (and in point & shoot mode).

I will only be after standard size prints but may want to go a bit bigger for the occasional nice shot.

I want a 'famous' brand.

My budget is around 200 english pounds (and even this I can't afford so I need to make the right choice, get a camera I'll enjoy & use and that will last!).

A40 is current favourite, Questions .....

Is 2mp enough? Some 3mp cameras are now in my price range.

Is Compact Flash a good media? or is there little difference between all the types of memory?

Does the A40 take good night/low-light shots (close-ups in almost complete darkness?) Any examples A40 users?

Any better ideas (Cannon or otherwise)?

Please help - I want to buy now but don't want to make a mess of it!

Cheers

[Conk]

Sounds like the Canon A40 would be a good choice. Not just because I have one but your description of what you are looking for best decribes that camera.
The best size photo's for the 2 megapixel are 4x6. Not saying you can't go bigger but the that is the "Best" print size. 3 megapixel is obviously better than 2 but if I personally were to go higher than 2 it would be 4.
Asd for low light I have had good luck with the very few that I've taken but that's not many. There are a few others with this camera that have displayed some amazing low light shots.
Try searching out "low light" or "night shots" in the search at the top of the screen.
Hope this helps a bit. I'm very happy with my A40 for it's price range. At the time it was the best bang for the buck. You can always try it and take it back if you don't like it. Check out the retailers return policy.

[Redboy]

Thanks Conk for taking the time to reply and help me out! I checked out the night shots and I'm pretty sure now that I'll go for the A40.

Thanks again

Redboy