[majorvices]

I was looking at this one: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=18183 - which I can get for around 175 bucks. Which is right around my price range. Admittedly, I know absolutely nothing about what options are out there. What suggestions do ya'll have?

[glitterbug]

that one looks like a winner.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120352&cm_re=cannon-_-30-120-352-_-Product

since this is a "point and shoot", the feature you probably want to worry about the most is the time it takes to turn it on and snap a photo This one is really fast: http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3938&review=canon+powershot+sd780

[Hokerer]

We've got a Canon dSLR for the serious stuff and for the point'n'shoot, we've got a Canon A-series.  The A1100 IS looks to be pretty equivalent to the one you're looking at with yours being slightly smaller and the A-series being slightly less expensive.

A good place to research digital cameras is http://www.dpreview.com

[bluesman]

A good place to research digital cameras is http://www.dpreview.com

+1

This is the "go to" site.

[euge]

Jeez the flames on some of those topics. Despite all that it's got me drooling for a new camera.

For myself it comes down to whether I want a point and shoot or a digital that acts more like a traditional camera- as in adjustable F-stop, shutter-speed and lenses etc...

The midrange models should be more than enough for most folks.

[akr71]

The best advice I got (from a semi-pro photographer) when I bought my first digital camera was to buy a camera from a manufacturer that makes (or made) decent film cameras.  There is a better chance that the camera has good optics if it comes from a reputable manufacturer.  Digital or analog - the light still has to pass through a lens, and poor lenses mean poor pictures.

It made sense to me, but I'm also a PFB camera person (Push the F*****ng Button).

[majorvices]

I went ahead with the canon linked above and got free shipping and a free memory card from Amazon for $176. Should be here Saturday! 

[nicneufeld]

I bought a Kodak M340 recently, about 70 bucks.  Not a world beater, but plenty of resolution, great display, extremely small and light, and the number one consideration....recharges off of USB!  I'm surprised more cameras don't offer that.  That's the main reason I went with that model, I love that convenience.  Same reason I went with my cheap Sansa Express MP3 players...12 bucks, microSD slot, and recharges with a built in, ie. no cable at all, much less power adapter, USB plug.

[a10t2]

I have a PowerShot. You'll love it.

[majorvices]

Sweet! Should be here tomorrow. And nicneufeld - I already have a LGB camera. That's why I'm getting this one.  

[brewmichigan]

I ist our purchased a Panasonic lumix DS3 back in September of 2009. It's a beast of a camera. HD video, 9mp 16x9 format, and 12 X zoom. The only problem is very little manual controls. I love it though, takes some of the best pictures I've seen from a sub 300 dollar non-dslr camera.

[capozzoli]

Anybody ever make stop motion animation with their digital camera?

Lots of good stuff being made this way. Like the animation of live people or would it be called re-animation?

Check this film out. Made entirely with a small hand held digital camera and a LOT of jumping.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1511995185163028652&q=stop+motion#

^ this one is a masterpiece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-5cJse8_Zk

I made some live people animation back in my college days. We did it on a 8MM camera though.

We were dressed up like bikers and acted like we were riding motor cycles. Ya know, holding the handle bars. We then jumped for every frame that was shot, just like in the above movies.

I want to try digital stop motion with small clay figures like the old fashioned animation. Actually my characters are foam latex cast over a metal jointed armature.

Anyone ever try it?

Here are some instructions.

http://content.photojojo.com/tutorials/stop-motion-digital-camera/