I have a Panasonic/Lumix, and that'* my only complaint. The proprietary software it needs to get pics off of it without a card reader

Are you sure MOS? I use the software from my Canon without any trouble.

No, I'm not anymore. The last time I used it, it kinda forced me to use the Panasonic/Lumix software. This time, Photoshop found it, it installed as a removable hard drive, and the Lumix software found it....

Different computer, different results.....

I really like the ZoomBrowser that came with my old Canon, so that is what I stuck with. It'* set up so that I click an edit button and it brings up the picture in the editing software.

I used to be one of these people. A long time ago I went through 2 very cheap digi-cams before I bought a decent one nearly 4 years ago. (Canon S400)

That led to me getting a lot more serious about photography, which is why I own a DSLR now, but that'* besides the point.

The cheap cameras will be sufficient to begin with, but once you realize the limitations you will get with it, then you will want to upgrade. Slow shutter speeds, large shutter delay (which is a huge cause of blurry or poorly composed photos), slow focusing (bad for action), and inability to take a decent photo in any condition but a perfectly still flash shot, are all the things that you will get in a super-cheap digi-cam.

Cheapo camera (Kodak)
http://www.solsblog.com/img/photos/2...11503_1275.jpg

Middle of the road camera (Canon S400)
http://www.solsblog.com/img/shots/Ca.../122%20015.jpg

Digital SLR (Canon 300D)
http://www.solsblog.com/img/gallerie...7/IMG_6119.jpg

Olympus C Series

C4000 is what I own. you might have seen my pics before. Its an ok camera..they are around $75 on ebay right now.

The sony DSC-P series is also GREAT and pretty close to the same quality as my Olympus.

Go for a 3-4 year old used camera.