digital camera recommendations please

[hercules]

I have got to spend £1500 by May (not my own money ) and wanted to use £200-£400 on a digital camera.

Any suggestions?

Memory card prices have plummeted.
ebuyer have 128mb cards from £18 (go to Categories, Flash Memory). I've got several 16mb and 32mb cards made by PQI and they do what they're supposed to.
If you plan to buy a memory card at the same time as ordering the camera, make sure you know what type of card is needed - MultiMediaCard, Compact Flash, Smart Media, Secure Digital. If you buy a card reader (about £7) you'll be able to use the card outside of the camera - either to view your photos or as storage for any other files.
All the comments about shutter lag are correct - it's a real pain (mine's a Kodak DX3700).
Your PC does have a USB port I hope - you'll need it for the camera.

Thanks stuartc. Yes, my laptop has xp and the bits i need, my printer is also one you can do photos with as well.

Sorry but a bit thick here , what the hell does shutter lag mean??????

Shutter lag is the delay between you pressing the button and the picture being recorded onto the camera. There are ways to reduce shutter lag on the camera ... only using flash when you need it (and not the red eye reduction), setting the autofocus & autoexposure before you want to take the shot and using smaller file resolutions (reduces the time it takes the camera to "record" it to the memory) are the three I remember.

Incidentally, I know you haven't asked this, but I can really recommend the book How To Do Everything With Your Digital Camera if you're new to digital photography or just want to improve your pictures. My dh bought it for me for my birthday and I have learnt so much about how it all works, from the technicalities of the camera to how to compose and get the shot I want (okay, that bit's still touch and go - but at least I have the knowledge if not the practise!!) Book is written very clearly and lots of diagrams. Can't recommend it enough.

The one thing I would say is to write a list in order of what are the most important things you want to use the camera for.
Things like portability, shutter speed, zoom, movies (with or without sound), point & click or manual settings, types of batteries(some take AA, others have special batteries you may not be able to replace if travelling) and how long they last all differ on all the cameras and some have great positives on one and a negative on another.
The easiest way to decide is to prioritise these.

We have a Minolta Dimage which is great. Just don't do a Google search for it cos it throws back loads of p0rn for some reason - v odd...

If you haven't already bought the digital camera yet but have decided on one to get, check out this website first www.kelkoo.co.uk it will tell you can find a product at the best price, excellent idea!

Thanks to all.

I have decided to get a canon ixus 400.

hercules - have you checked the price differences on that kelkoo site? I saved over £100 on MD net pkayer

Amazon's camera prices seem to be really good - I got mine there. If you wanted to buy it from a "real" shop, Jessops will price match with Amazon if you take in proof (screen print) of price.

I have a Kodak Easyshare camera and I love it. It takes brilliant pictures and is really easy to use. It has its own dock which you sit it in, press a button and all your pictures are transferred onto your comp for you. If you have rechargeable batteries it also charges those for you at the same time. HTH x

Another vote for Fuji Finepix. Really easy to use. Really good size and quality LED. We tried an Olympus first as it got good ratings in consumer magazines but we found that the batteriens went flat really fast and it wasn't so easy to use so we took it back.

If anyone's not sure about which camera they want, buy one from Argos. If you don't like it just take it back within the 16 days.

hercules..just wondering how you are finding your canon ixus 400..was thinking of buying the same..will make a purchase today, and where did you get yours?

I am very pleased with it and spent a lot of time researching my prive range. I got it from pc world only because it's the governments money not mine and it was easier doing it that way.
It's really simple to use although there are lots of other things you can do with it but i havent had the chance to read the maual yet.
It also does a 3 minute movie with sound and you can record memos over your pictures (havent looked into this yet).
We also bought a printer/scanner/phocopier/fax which you can put your digital camera memory card in , view your pictures on a small screen on the printer then print off direct.
I've borrowed the fuju 700 before and imo think canon is better.The links to review sites below are excellent and really really helpful esp the third one.