Alright, camera dorks....

A small camera with a large zoom.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...lumix&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1201913866363

Even though I'm a Nikon fluffer, I'm going to agree with Ocean Lover. From what you are saying, you don't need the complexities of a DSLR system. A good quality point & shoot will serve you well.

If you go with a point and shoot camera, don't get fooled by the digital zoom. It is a gimic which doesn't produce good pictures. The only zoom number you want to look at is the "optical zoom." The entry level point and shoots, will most commonly have an optical zoom of 3x. You want at least 3x, if not more. There are some Sony's and Canon's which are point and shoots, but they have a much larger lens which has a 10-12X optical zoom. They are bulkier and may work if you will carry them in your purse. The beauty of the smaller ones is that you can carry them in your pocket, so you rarely miss a photo op. Remember, OPTICAL zoom is the important zoom. Digital zoom doesn't mean jack.

For example, Ocean Lover's recommendation above has:
"3x optical/4x digital/12x total zoom"

Forget about the digital zoom and total zoom, because the only number that matters is the optical, which in this case, is 3x.

The lens makes the camera, too. The Sony Cybershot series uses Carl Zeiss optics which are great. Also, don't get hung up on megapixels. The only time you will ever use the number that they advertise for the camera is when you shoot the largest file in an uncompressed format, and when you do you'll get about 5 gianormous pictures...
OK...maybe that's an over simplification, but they will wind up being close to 50MB each. Anything in the 5-6 megapixel range will be fine. Shoot your pictures in the 1280 x 960 range, and you'll get good shots that enlarge nicely but will still be fairly small in file size...

Mrs. R.

Please check your personal mail-I sent you some information and a link to digital camera info. Good luck.

Mrs. R.

Please check your personal mail-I sent you some information and a link to digital camera info. Good luck.

Would you please send it to me too? I'm also a digi-virgin, and want to buy a fairly simple point and shoot, ease my way into modern camera technology...

Sure thing WCW.

Check your P.M. ('scuse my weird sense of humor)!

Sure thing WCW.

Check your P.M. ('scuse my weird sense of humor)!

I'm off to do some research...

my daughter has a new Olympus and really likes it.

Take a look at the Canon s3 Is. It has a 12X optical zoom, takes GREAT shots and also has a really good quality video option. I don't use the video option for long recording because it uses up your memory and batteries, but for a short video, it's got excellent quality and sound. It's not the smallest or the cheapest camera, but I think that if you try it, you'll be very pleased with it.

Best site around for reviews of cameras is www.dpreview.com

Thanks for all the info, people. I'm off to shop and compare, but first will someone tell me the difference between optical and digital zoom?

Here is the perfect explanation of the optical zoom vs digital zoom.