I don't think you are, you want the best for your money. Here's a very helpful site.
JoanMN/FL

Here is a link that might be useful: the BEST cameras

I overanalyze cameras even when I'm not shopping for one! LOL

Take your time looking over the excellent site that Joan linked. You might also like to read this message board that helps people choose a camera based on their needs.

Megapixels are probably the last thing you need to worry about unless you're planning to print very large photos. Most of today's cameras have plenty of megapixelsÂmore than enough for most amateur photographers.

I would be more concerned about zoom and image stabilization. Two of my cameras are super-zooms, and I really miss it on the one that isn't. And if you want a digital SLR you'll have to decide how much you can spend on lenses, including a long zoom if that's what you need.

What's "the grip"?

Susan

Not sure if that's what it's called, but most digital cameras are just flat boxes. Some of the Canon cameras have something on the right side that sticks out from the camera. I believe it enables you to grip the camera better.

If it's for a different purpose, I'd like to know that too.

I bought what I could afford at the time, and it works well for me. I don't use the screen at all. I just use the viewfinder like a regular camera. Somehow, it seems to do what I want it to do.

I only have 3.1 megapixels, and that's good. I think anything higher than 5 is only if you're going to be printing out posters or large prints, like 11 x 14. 5 megapixels is good for 8 x 10's.

Make sure it has regular old batteries. Those special batteries can be very expensive. I have a Canon Rebel (the first one made) and the batteries for that thing are $10 or more! I don't use it anymore. Such a waste of a nice $400 camera.

So you get my point. Don't spend too much on it if it's just going to eventually sit in the closet. My digital is a Fujifilm, cost about $129, and I'd like to get a larger picture card, but other than that, it's fine for the kind of pics I take.

Regarding batteries, always purchase rechargeable or you'll go broke buying batteries.

Cheerful - For Christmas last year I received a Canon Powershot digital camera. I requested one with a grip and I also wanted a viewfinder in addition to the large screen. I found that the grip helps me keep the camera stable and eases my fear of dropping it (which I did once to my husband's expensive Olympus SLR many years ago).

The viewfinder is helpful because if it's really sunny out it can be difficult to see the image in the screen. And your hands need to be steady when holding the camera out in front to compose your picture.

There - that's about all I know. I'm a true novice. But I just love taking pictures and then erasing all the lousy ones. So much nicer than back in the old days of developing film.

A good site where you can read customer reviews and find the cheapest prices is in the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dealtime

Right now, I'm leaning toward one of the Canon Powershot cameras.

Mcmann makes a good point about the viewfinder. I dislike using LCD screens to take pictures. In addition to the sun problem she mentions, you're more likely to get camera shake if you're holding the camera out in front of you.

But there's viewfinders and viewfinders. I recommend the kind that show the actual image that the lens sees.

"But there's viewfinders and viewfinders. I recommend the kind that show the actual image that the lens sees."

That would be a single lens reflex (SLR), which is significantly more expensive.

Canon has always been my pick.

Ditto what alisande said...
image stabilization and zoom and don't worry 'bout megapixels.

As far as grip and a big screen, I suggest that you go to the electronics stores and try them out.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever one you choose. They are all good.

Not necessarily, Lindsay. That's true for 35mm cameras, but not for digitals. Two of my cameras have LCD viewfinders. They show exactly what the LCD screen on the back shows, which in my experience has been what the lens sees.

With the other kind of viewfinder, you have to allow for parallax correction. Too much work! :-)

My husband thinks I'm overanalyzing this

I tend to over analyze about any purchase involving $20 or more, and often a lot less.

I once did an impulse buy for a camera, and it ended up being a total waste of $$$...sigh.

Sue

I've been very happy with our Canon Power Shot cameras! Definitely get a camera with a rechargable battery!

I've been having the same agonizing questions so thanks for this thread, Cheerful!

My question- batteries- what does "proprietary battery" mean? The camera I have now uses 4-AA's and goes thru them pretty quickly. I bought some rechargable batteries but they don't last 30 minutes in this Olympus, seems like. So I want my next camera to be better on batteries. What system does Canon use on their powershots? I've seen some that say "uses 2-AA" and other ones say "uses proprietary battery". Can someone explain? Are you constantly putting in new batteries or is there a better way?

Flamey, that means you can't use double AA's! And will spend more on a new battery. I have a little Canon ELPH that I carry in my purse, but the battery does hold a charge for a long time.

A viewfinder is a necessity, in my opinion. Otherwise, if it's sunny, you play heck trying to see what you're shooting.
Stevesdigicams seems to be down today.
JoanMN/FL

Joan.. I am looking for a Cannon ELPH for my purse.. Can you tell me which on you have? I am thinking of the SD750 or SD850. I have heard the SD1000 is a good possibility too.. So many out there!

Thanks!
Trish

I can recommend the KodakEasyShare - I have two now, I bought a second one because it has a closeup feature so you can take a picture of a fly and have it show up clearly - I don't take pictures of flies, but when I was ebaying avidly I sometimes had fairly small items, jewelry and such that I wanted to list and my previous Kodak just couldn't get the definition I was looking for.
The one I use regularly is a Kodak Easy Share CX6330 - I bought it used for $60 about 6 months ago and have no complaints about it - and the lithium batteries I bought at the that time for $13 are still going strong, so I don't think that's unreasonable.
I would like to get some rechargeable batteries this year, however.
Suzan J

My Kodak EasyShare has a great "grip" and a nice sized button to push to take the picture. I also wanted a viewfinder to look through instead of just a screen to look at. It is a Z740.

My DS joked with me when we were looking for mine, that I wanted the "large print" version! LOL!

Trish, mine's been replaced, the new ones have IS (some of them) which is a great feature (image stabiization) and face detection (don't know how good that is, but sounds terrific).
If I were getting one today, I'd go with the A720, if you want a grip and a viewfinder.
It's a little bigger than an Elph, though.
The 850 looks great! And it has IS and viewfinder. Looks like it runs around $260.00 or so.
JoanMN/FL

I wrote up a blog entry (my gardening blog) for the Butterfly Gardening Forum because the folks there liked the quality of my photos. I used to have a manual SLR, but didn't like hauling it (and all the attachments) around in the garden or on our trips.

I have the Canon Powershot SD800 IS Digital Elph, 7.1 megapixels.

I used the camera in Italy in May/June this past summer. It worked great and it was the first time that I'd had it on a trip. Those photos are in my travel blog if you want to see panoramic examples (compared to the macro focus on the butterflies).
Tuscany

Hope this helps.
Cameron

Here is a link that might be useful: Photographing Butterflies