Camera purchase, give your suggestions

[Guru]

It's about time to purchase a new camera and since a lot of you on here probably have the state-of-the-art boom-booms I need your suggestions.

Here are some things that I will have in a camera and the rest may follow what you have to say:

1- I like the cameras that have two view finders. I notice that the ones with the little TV screens are often impossible to utilize in bright sunshine. I want a traditional view finder and the little TV screen kind.
2- I want a camera that is easy to use with computer downloading. Some have more steps needed to downloading and more than likely my Mother may use this. She is not into a lot of fancy computer clicks. USB plug in and download quickly and easily is the ticket.
3- I want one that I can resize photos with if needed. Some cameras take photos that take a lot of memory space and are slow to transfer in emails.
4- A good sharp photo.
5- Easy to deal with knob options for different picture taking atmospheres.
6- I'm not a professional photorgrapher so the camera should run somewhere less than $500. I saw one at Best-Buy a few weeks ago that looked pretty good for about $250 but they were sold out. I have little patience for waiting around for anything.
7- A good brand that you can buy accessories for. Memory sticks, etc.

Ok, now your turn ... please be specific on your opinions and suggestions.

[Dobby]

Do you want a "point-shoot" or a SLR ?

[Sugar]

*Canon Powershot IS 3* there are newer models up to IS5. Anyways that is what I would get if I could sell my Nikon D40 and lens. Why would I want to sell a camera I just bought a year ago? Cause it is too heavy it makes my hands hurt to use it!! and I don't want to learn how to use it! So now I hardly use it at all...if I could I would just buy a simple point and shoot like the power shot!

Reviews (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons3is/)

So if you want to buy my DSLR...I'll sell it. I will have it cleaned and serviced. And a report of condition from a camera shop. I spent $500.00 on just the portrait lens. and $600.00 on the D40 @ Circuit City.

[Dobby]

I have both types but i really like my sony cybershot 8.1 mp its easy to use and very compact, takes crystal clear pictures

[carsalesguy]

when i was looking at cameras, i saw this one and the sony-

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8942415&type=product&id=1215217299266

i liked the sony because it just felt good plus i knew sony-

however, i kinda wished i got this one. the lack of the traditional viewfinder was not a wise decision on my part, and also the memory cards are cheaper for these cameras than the sony memorysticks

also kodak is known for easy sharing-

this camera features simple video recording as well as high resolution photographics-

if it is too big, i got michelle a casio exlim 7mp camera that she loves- it's thin and light, and fits right into her pocket. all she has to do is pull it out and shoot- and i think i gave about 200 for it including a gig of memory for it-

how much you want for that camera sugar?

[Sugar]

Oh well mine don't have the swivel screen...but the canon_PS IS does! Nor would I sell my setup less than 500.00 a little more but not less!

[Guru]

I'm not real good up on current camera technology. Point and shoot just means auto-focus all the time?
SLR I did know what it meant but not anymore.
The traditional view finder is a must and if it has the TV screen that will be ok.
I guess the biggest deal for me is the crisp pictures, I do want to get a real good optical zoom at least 6 or better. I think I've seen some 10's and would like to have that.
Being able to hold a lot of pictures and then being able to easily transfer them over to the computer with just a usb cord is the ticket with me if it has an easy to use software. What I'm really hoping to do is buy one for me and one for my Mother.
I can fight most anything but I want to buy something she will really enjoy and use.

[Sugar]

I don't know how to help you Guru, you would have to have access to every model out there to be able to say....oh this is the best one...each their own. A point and shoot is yes basic, but easy too, you do not always get a bad picture, nor always get a good picture either kinda like the SLR's really once you think of it. LOL

Maybe this link will work...
How To Select the Right Digital Cam (http://cameras.about.com/cs/choosingacamera/ht/selectcamera.htm)era for You