i posted pics! :O
cass...you should be able to get a good camera for $400 USD. probably 3x optical zoom and 5.0 mps. i'd recommend canon as a brand to check out, with olympus and fujifilm coming in closely behind.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/C ... ontcount=1 <--the canon A95 might do you.
Here's what consumer reports has to say:
Best values for snapshots; compact and simple to use:
3 Canon, $180
11 Fujifilm, $140, CR Best Buy
23 Kodak, $185, CR Best Buy
27 Olympus, $190, CR Best Buy
All of these 3- and 4-megapixel cameras fit in a pocket. The Canon PowerShot A510 (3) stands out for slightly better image quality. The Kodak EasyShare CX7430 (23) and Olympus D-580 Zoom (27) are exceptionally low-priced for 4-megapixel cameras, making them CR Best Buys. So is the Fujifilm FinePix A330 (11), but its availability is limited; it may be easier to find online.
Best values overall if you want to get creative:
4 Canon, $350
33 Fujifilm, $240
40 Olympus, $315
These three combine low price with at least a 5x-zoom range and other features that add flexibility. The Canon PowerShot S1IS (4), a 3-megapixel model, has a very long zoom range and an array of useful features that help justify its relatively high price. The other two are 4-megapixel models, giving them a slight edge over the Canon if you regularly crop and enlarge photos. But both have some minor shortcomings: The Olympus C-5500 (40) Sport Zoom has a long next-shot delay, and the Fujifilm FinePix S3100 (33) is rather bulky.
Best values for creative editing, provided a long zoom range isn't critical to you:
25, 42 Kodak, $240-$250
43 Olympus, $500
49 Nikon, $500
52 Canon, $290, CR Best Buy
This large group consists mainly of 4- and 5-megapixel cameras, typically with a 3x or 4x zoom. Look first to the Kodak EasyShare CX7530 (42) for its low price; it's also PictBridge-compatible and uses AA batteries. The other cameras in this group have assets that make them more versatile, but most have one or another minor shortcoming. The Olympus C-Series C-5060 Wide Zoom (43), Nikon Coolpix 5400 (49), and Canon PowerShot A95 (52) have manual controls but are relatively heavy; all but the Canon use proprietary batteries.
Best choices in point-and-shoots for serious photography:
64 Fujifilm, $310, CR Best Buy
67, 70 Olympus, $280-$620
69 Canon, $545
73 Sony, $365
74 Nikon, $640
If you don't want the expense, weight, or complexity of a digital SLR, consider these 6- to 8-megapixel models. They have the manual controls that provide you with a great deal of photographic control, yet can still work with point-and-shoot simplicity. All are much less expensive than an SLR. The Nikon Coolpix 8700 (74) has the longest zoom range in this group. The Canon PowerShot G6 (69) and Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom (70) are closely matched in many respects; the Canon has a long flash range and better battery life. The Fujifilm FinePix E550 (64) and Olympus C-60 Zoom (67), CR Best Buys, are worth considering if you're on a limited budget and don't need a feature-laden camera. The Fujifilm has slightly lower image quality than others in this group, but that's not a serious drawback. The compact Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P150 (73) has PictBridge capability.