did not read all the replys.
get a *duh* just had camera last week. wireless memory card. were you do not have to keep removing the memory card and placing it in the computer. but instead just turn on camera. get on the computer and load up program, and let pictures wireless transmit onto the computer.
have had a few cameras the memory card metal legs that slide onto the memory card break. resulting in a dead broken camera. ((to many times memory card was removed and re-inserted)) and basically just wore the metal pieces out inside the camera.
there is a difference between "video camera" and "picture" camera in quality, video might be great on one but takes ugly pictures, and vice vs.
generally the camera manufactures have low grade, medium grade, and high grade camera, with basically the exact same camera, but more features and reliability in the higher grade camera for the given year.
honestly, the non DSLR cameras have came a long way. and let you manually set a large amount of settings through the menu. and still allow tripod, and different lens type hookups, and possibly a external flash.
DSLR cameras, are more likely to have lens and external flash options, that give a wider variety of equipment you can buy from. and more likely if camera breaks, allow you to switch over to a different DSLR camera. but still re-use everything else without much fuse, vs going with a non DSLR camera.
personally, like better zoom (non digital zoom), and being able to set various settings via buttons or controls on the camera vs flipping through menus on a camera. (makes things faster) and more likely able to get a shoot before something happens, that destroys the shoot wanted.
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5 to 6 meg pixel camera, is good enough, if camera takes anything bigger. ya getting into poster size pictures. and not really useful at those size prints. digital printers also have a limit of how many pixels they can print, so i mean really, 5 to 6 meg pixels get ya in a descent size picture, without much fuss. by the time computer software gets a hold of a picture and everything else. if ya not happy with picture you just won't be happy with picture regardless of how many pixels used to make a picture.
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battery life *arghs* that is one annoying thing. i no longer remember specific types of batteries any more. but have a small battery, and then a larger battery. (small light weight battery, quick charge, and take with on the go, larger battery, for when ya know ya going to be using camera a lot, and need a backup, when smaller battery goes dead.
stay away from AA, triple A batteries or like batteries, the batteries will eat your savings account, by the time you pay for the more expensive double A or triple A batteries.
get a car charger, and wall charger for batteries. and if possible cord you can plug in to wall and run camera while waiting for batteries to re-charge.
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as far a what camera to get, everyone else gave "awesome" links for camera reviews. beyond that. before dropping a few hundred or a couple thousand dollars. get out and about and physically go look at different cameras. best buy, circuit city, heck even wal-mart. and actual camera stores that may be around you. some cameras for me personally seemed small and clumsy, while other cameras had a larger body that fit my hands better.
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for a camera bag, my mom, always seem to find some sort of leather bag, that has some sort of short fur feel on the inside, with a little bit of what seems like foam in between leather and fur. that main camera goes into, and then a small side pocket, for some cables, lens cleaner, extra memory card, and battery. the bag may not have nice cushy foam exactly made for camera. but it tends to lend itself to keep camera safe, and quick and easy removal, without dealing with annoy snaps, and locks. so that the camera bag can be placed in vehicle on floor board or behind a seat, for quick easy grab, vs having to deal with unlooking a toolbox like bag / carrying case o remove camera.
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memory cards, if you do not go with the wireless memory card (catch eye? or something EYE in the name of it for a memory card). see about a camera that uses larger memory card not in how much memory it has, but phsycial dimensions itself. so ya not pulling memory card out. and then saying a few words, trying to find it in thick carpet, or on the ground.
