Hi raehelen - I had to answer your post because after ours got dropped in the ocean I was in your same boat and didn't have the time or resources to research and buy a digital SLR (although I'm dying for a good one w/ a great lens $$$) SO I researched the heck out of the point-and-shoot digitals and, not surprisingly, came back to the same brand that we'd had but upgraded the features. We have enjoyed outstanding quality with Canon's PowerShot cameras and right now the SD850 IS is our favorite. Here's what CNET says about it:

The bottom line : The Canon PowerShot SD 850 IS has just about everything you'd want in a point-and-shoot.

Also, it runs between $250 and $300 depending on where you find it. Hope that helps!!

Another vote for anything by Canon. I shot photos with a 35 mm Canon Eos for years in the pre-digital age. My first digital camera was a gift, a Sony. And while it functioned adequately, I thought that the software was awkward. Then, a couple of years ago, I got a Canon digital. Love it, and the software was easy for me to use, even without reading the tutorial! Canon digitals consistently get positive reviews from Consumer Reports, too. Mine has rechargeable AA batteries...a nice feature, and in a pinch, you can use disposable AA rather than having to search for a special model battery.

We had a Nikon that we LOVED...The older style they had that twisted, so you could take photos at an angle and still see the screen. It took fantastic closeups, imho. We replaced it with a Canon PowerShot A540. Pretty good and user friendly, sharp photos and good zoom. Not as good at closeups, but not terrible either...But the flash can be too bright, especially on faces, and it's not great at judging light and giving a good result all the time. I probably could do better if I knew anything about the technical aspects of adjusting it, but I depend too much on the auto settings.

I think it was about $199.

The Casio Exilim is a great series. I use the 2750 model and love it for a couple of hundred bucks.

The Canon SD1000 or SD750 are both great super-tiny cameras (the Elph series) and run under $200.

I just bought a Panasonic Lumix FZ8 from fotoconnection.com for under $300. It was recommended to me by another GW member since I needed one that could take close ups of silver detail. It works great. Now if I could only figure out what 90% of the options are ...........

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4K. Very easy to use and has a 10x zoom and a wider angle lens than most point and shoots. Should be able to find it for under $300.

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-TZ4K_11002_7000000000000005702

I know you said You sound like you're serious about taking decent pictures and seem to know/like photography. If so, don't waste your time or money with a P&S PoS ;-) (sorry to offend anyone). DH has always had P&S and I've always had SLRs (even pre- digital) and even when they weren't the greatest cameras or lenses, they were still miles better than the P&S cameras. My $0.02 is that instead of spending money on two cameras, spend it once on one good one that you really like.

I have the Canon AS570 and absolutely love it. Easy in the hand and great quality.

Elaine

We have the Nikon D50 and absolutely love it (but that's an SLR).... but we also just got me an Nikon Coolpix S700 and it's very nice too - the picture quality isn't as good as the SLR with the lower resolution but for a smaller camera we are very happy with it (we liked the size).

As a professional photographer, I'd highly recommend Canon digital cameras for their outstanding optics and color balance as well as their cool, sleek presentation. I had shot with Nikons for many years, but, Nikon digital cameras never were as good as their film cameras. The Canon autofocus system is also much better than Nikon's.

Most of the photo staffs at the best newspapers and magazines use Canon cameras for a reason--they are the best. Canon has several 10MP cameras in the $300 price range. See link. Also note that a free version of the popular Photoshop program, called Photoshop Express, is now available.

Here is a link that might be useful: B&H Photo Video Canon

I have a Canon SD700 with Image Stabilization. Works well for me! I'd buy another one in this series if I needed to!

For more information than you could ever fully digest, I can recommend a great site (linked below). They have many ways to approach the selection process (see links in left frame). But also incredible detail in their individual camera reviews. HTH!

- D

Here is a link that might be useful: Camera Reviews

sekhmet, I know a bunch of National Geographics photographers - Nikon proponents (well, users) most of 'em. The rest use Canon but couldn't find it in themselves to definitively recommend one over the other. I spent two years torn between Canon and NIkon but eventually went with the majority of the big dogs.

So, cut out the trash talk.

Another vote for the Canon SD series (I have the 400 but it is two years old). Canon has great customer service, I should know! My LCD screen cracked from abuse after 6 months and they STILL offered to repair it free of charge. All I had to do was pay shipping and they sent it back fixed in a weeks time. The SD ELF series is the size of a pack of cigarettes which makes it so handy. They are very user friendly also. Love mine!

We have a Canon power shot for a point & shoot camera, as well as a Nikon D100, which is a lot of fun to play with :)

In addition to:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/
can also check out reviews at:
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras

There is enuf info to help decide. In some cases, it
may be worthwhile to look at newer models reviewed
here since there may be fixes to problems in older
models. Worth knowing when you buy a "steal deal" :-)

Also may want to checkout:
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/cameras-accessories
for ongoing deals

/venkat

Sorry Mindstrong, you don't know what you are talking about---but I do. The majority of the "big dogs" use Canon. LOL!!!! What "big dogs" do you know? Apparently, they are not as big as you think they are. LOL!!

Many National Geographic photographers still shoot with FILM cameras, which are much different than DIGITAL cameras--and they shoot in chrome. And, the ones who shoot digital, shoot with Canon. The archival aspects of the present digital process prevent many photographers from using digital when they don't have astringent deadlines. Sad to say, but, National Geographic photographers are not" cutting edge" by any means. Most are very traditional, which means, NIKON.

No "trash talking" here. When the staffs of The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe and every other major newspaper use Canon, you know Canons are the best, otherwise, why would they risk shooting with inferior hardware, like the horrible Nikon system? The difference between Nikons and Canon is well documented in professional circles. Ask any "real" professional and they will tell you that Nikon sold-out to the amateur ranks many years ago, that Canons are the best.

Most magazine photographers are contract photographers or freelancers and 80 percent of them use Canon. I know what I'm talking about: I'm one of them.

Canon digitals are the best in the consumer market too!

Oh god! What a bilious response! I have some information I could contribute but good lord! not going to sully it with your acrimony.