Okay, I need more help!

[keahgirl8]

I appreciate y'all being so patient and helpful! I am still trying to figure out what the heck I want to get! I am very much a newbie at the digital camera thing. I love taking pictures and I'd like to turn this into a hobby. I want something easy to use, but I want it to take nice pictures. I'd like to spend around $200. Any help? Thanks again!

 

[ndelaware]

The Canon PowerShot A75, $200 @ Staples.

 

[xder345]

I'd pick up the Canon A520. It's $200 at Best Buy, and it's a generation newer than the A75 model (I have the A80 from 2003). It's a great camera that builds on the A75/65 series cameras. Here's a link to the conclusion page of a professional review of the A520: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona520/page9.asp
You can read the rest of the review at that site and then compare it to other cameras in that range...

 

[salmoneous]

I just got the A520 and love it. Very easy to take quick snapshots, but with all the flexibility to take more "serious" pictures if you want. I liked it a little more than similar models from Nikon, Kodak etc. but I honestly think you would be happy with anything in this genre.

However, if you are looking at cost, be sure to factor in the cost of a memory card (~$30-60) and recharable batteries (another $30). So while I got the camera for ~$180, total cost was over your $200 budget.