Most consumer level digital cameras (the $500 range) generally have trouble focusing in low light. Night shots, for example. And even once you get focus lock, the flash on those is pretty weak. You can get a bloom or two in a shot, but trying to get a large plant in the frame will probably exceed what a built-in flash can illuminate. The other thing to keep in mind is the "long term investment". Sadly, the manufacturing build quality of todays digital cameras (even the entry level DSLR's) is not as good as the Canon film camera lillypon22 mentioned. They will break easier and will wear out sooner. Figure 3-5 years as an average. The upside is that if you really enjoy the photography side of things you'll be ready to upgrade by then anyway. I had my Fuji S602Z (Approx. $600 new) for about two years before I felt the need to get a better camera because it was limiting what I could do. But then I went beyond the point & shoot stage about 15 minutes after getting the 602 out of the box. *grin* Digital is definately the way to go if you want to learn photography. The instant feedback and nearly limitless film supply makes learning much faster. Have a look through some of my galleries if you'd like to see what a rank beginner can accomplish in a couple of years. Most of the new camera's shots are under the "Nikon D70" & "Construction" galleries. Pretty much everything else was taken with the Fuji S602 which is much closer to your price range. (Althought the newer models similar to it may be higher, I don't know.) Click to enter galleries

Marcia, I thought you lived in Thunder Bay... wow I really did drive past your place, mind you that was at least 7 years ago. Wanna know how embarassingly lost I was? I was going to Rushing River - DUH! Missed the turn! Motherduck, that sounds like a great camera. I was hoping to get something in the sorta $300-$400 range. Just to keep up with the Jonses you know... if you've seen some of the horrible fuzzy pics I have posted here...

I read this thread with great interest. In the beginning of 2005 I decided that my 35mm camera was just not cutting it anymore and that I needed a digital camera. After much phoning and talking to people at different camera shops in our city with my long list of requirements that I needed in a camera to... -point and shoot...easy to use. -ability to take action pictures for insects moving (since our kids were basically gone from home already, so no sports to photograph). -clear closeups without having to bend down to take the picture...so I wanted the best zoom that they could offer for the best price. -great quality because I would be taking lots and lots of pictures of the flowers in my yard. -rechargeable batteries The winner... Canon Powershot S2 1S. Just new on the market in June 2005. It has 5mp and a 12 zoom. I use the foliage setting to take pictures of flowers...since it gives a richer truer picture. I got the first one that came into Brandon into Future Shop. BTW, Staples didn't carry high end cameras, just cheaper models. Individual camera stores were just getting one or two of these new Canon cameras in at a time on preorders. I have put 25,000 pictures through the camera since June 2005. (Not all saved, thank goodness). I love the camera. If I was to ever get another camera (and retire this one to my DH's business for him to use on construction sites or whereever) I would get the newest Canon, a 5S 1S or if a 6 is available that would be it. Met someone at some event somewhere and they had the same camera I had. Their son ran the Don's Photo in Saskatoon. When they wanted their first digital camera he recommended this one also for all the same reasons. They loved theirs and used it all the time. All the pictures in my photobucket album have been taken with my Canon S2 1S. Pictures I took this summer will not be inputted into each individual sub-album until this winter when it is less busy around here. http://www.valleyrimgirl.thenewtonfamily.ca/ By the way if anyone is browsing the albums and find something mislabelled, please let me know...which means it was sold to me incorrectly labelled. I hate that when that happens...another NOID in the yard. Brenda

I agree Joan! I have found it pays to go back and read the manual AFTER you have become familiar with your camera. It is just too much all at once, at least for me. But I have found that if I go back and try to learn one new thing about taking digital photo's every once in a while - it really opens up new possiblilities.