need a new digital camera. recommendations?

[misdee]

we currently have a kodax dx3600 with dock. the battery on it is useless, it isnt charging, and even when it has beencharged we are lucky to get one pic out of it b4 it dies. its quite a bulky thing really (got it in 2000/1) so is getting on a bit as well. we are looking for a new one, but after hearing my sister has similar probs with her kodax as well, we want to avoid them. we are looking to spend in the region of £100-200, needs to have a viewing screen, easy to transfer pics to pc, easy to store onto memory card so we can get them printed if need be, or with its own printer.

We have a Canon Ixus which is really good quality and very sturdy. It is also light weight and small. Would definitely recommend it. You can buy a printer for the Ixus but it is quite expensive. It just take my card into the shop and get them printed that way.

Second vote for the Canon Ixus - absolutely beautiful camera - can transfer pictures easily to the PC directly from the camera using a USB cable or you can buy a separate card reader if you find that easier. For getting photos printed we use an online company called Photobox who are fantastic and very reasonably priced.

If you find you have extra spending money and you're a more serious camera user, for around £300-400 the Canon G5 is absolutely GORGEOUS - recently indulged in one and am having a mad love affair with it - a bit bulkier than the ixus but again, can use a USB cable to get pictures off or a card reader.

Misdee I just bought my first digital camera, a Nikon 3100 for £149 out of Jessops. It came with rechargable batteries, memory card etc. I use a usb memory stick that takes the card to transfer the photos straight into the pc. I also got a Jessops voucher for 25 free prints. As we don't have much spare cash I feel I got a really good deal. DH's friend is an amateur photographer and he uses Nikon so it came recommended. Also if you go into Jessops and tell them your needs they will sell you what you need rather than what they want to promote (staff are not on commision.)

I still have to finish reading the manual as I am sure there is loads more it can do. It also has a sign on the lcd screen for when the battery is dying. I have taken about 50 or so photos before the battery sign is showing and some were on the highest resolution. Of course it would last longer if I switched the screen off but I need to get over the novelty!

An other vote for a Nikon. We were recommended to get this make (by local Jessops also) as the quality of the lenses are better than most. Dead easy to use and to download onto software - we use Adobe photoshop (as it's easier to send smaller versions on e-mails but Nikon Fotostation came with the camera (I think!). Hope you find something that suits your needs.