I have a Sony Cybershot that I really like. Takes good pictures, easy to use but plenty of options, and also shoots video.

Me too....Sony Cybershot. Nice. Very user-friendly, takes good photos. Very good basic digital camera. Also, it seems super sturdy compared to other cameras I've used although that may just be my imagination.

But which Sony Cybershot? This is where I get all confused.

See if this helps you. Good luck in your search.

If you figure it out, let me know. I'm looking to replace my ancient Coolpix TWO MEGAPIXEL camera (paid $200 for it, and that was a GOOD DEAL). I see there's a 7.2 MP Cybershot for $125 new on that Amazon page, and I want to cry. I just need something cheap that takes a decent picture and isn't a pain to get the pictures off of. Oh, and battery life is a must. Even with a 256MB compact flash memory, I would run out of battery on the coolpix before I ever ran out of pix/video.

The sonys are cool, but I'd like something which will take SDHC cards, since that's what all my other stuff is. Not interested in buying a whole bunch of new memory cards in a different format.

I'd mainly be using it to document my restoration work on my dad's motorcycle, so something fairly rugged that won't mind a little stray grease would be nice. (Yes, I usually put a protective film on the screen to prevent thumbprints.)

Nice short lists! That's great -- thank you netbros.

I've been happy with my Nikon CoolPix L3 for a few years. It's reliable, easy to use, and durable. It takes good pictures for day to day life and has lots of features to assist if you don't want to think about (nightime, action, portrait, etc). I tend to not use those features, but they were quite helpful when I did. It takes video (up to an 30 minutes if you upgrade the memory card).

My main problem is that it has a slow shutter speed, which you really wouldn't notice if you're just taking snapshots - but when trying to take some pictures of bands in dark clubs I realize that a more sophisticated camera is needed for that. The flash can take a second or two to recharge, but I think that's common for most basic digital cameras.

To be honest, if you're just looking to take some snapshots most of the basic digital cameras can probably do the job. Before I bought mine I did tons of research and tried out several people's cameras and they all seemed to do the job.

I have the Canon Powershot A570 for carrying everywhere and just shooting. It's not bad. Guy's Panasonic is nicer. But the difference is negligible.

If I'm hoping to print, I endeavor to use my sister's digital SLR or Guy's panasonic. Mine prints just fine, but there's a big loss in quality from the 3x5 to 4x6 print. And forget printing larger if I've shot with the powershot.

I just got a Canon Powershot G9 in the last month or so, and it's the best camera I've ever had. (I've always had point-and-shoots, and this is sort of a half-step between those and a DSLR.)

Here's another best-cameras list. If it were me, though, there's a good chance I'd just buy whatever Canon Elph fit best in my price range and be done with it.

(That said, I've got a G7, the predecessor to BP's camera. It's more camera than I will ever use in my life, but I love it.)

I've got a G9 too. It's lovely -- as BP said, halfway between a point-and-shoot and a DSLR. Works better than the former, and a little more versatile than the latter (since you don't have to mess with extra lenses, etc.)

Yes, Guy also has one of the powershot G-series and it, too, is nicer than my A-series. Sigh. I have nothing but camera-envy all the damn time.

I have an Olympus Stylus 820 that I bought based on a combination of recommendations in this AskMe thread and finding a really good deal on Amazon. I'm quite pleased with it, but portability was a big issue for me.

This is all very helpful. I think now I'll be able to just plunge in and BuyTMFA. Thank you bunnies.

Don't get an EasyShare.

Why not?

If you're really not going to need it all that often, would a cell phone do?

But which Sony Cybershot? This is where I get all confused.

I have an older model of this. Only difference I can tell is that the one listed has more megapixels.

If you're really not going to need it all that often, would a cell phone do?

I thought about that. But I also know very little about cell phone cameras -- do they take decent pictures? Is it easy to get the picture off the phone and into the computer?

Really really short list: just two cameras.

Looks like there are lots of options in the $100-150 range. Thanks, everybody!

Oh, should have mentioned: my last camera was a Canon Elph SD400. It's the size and shape of a cigarette box so it fits in jeans pockets, and takes very nice pix.

I have a Canon Elph SD1000. I take point and shoot pics and do not aspire to photographic greatness. I'm very happy with it.

I use the Canon SD 750.

It takes decent videos. With some tweaking, it works pretty well in low-light conditions. (Pretty well for a point-and-shoot, that is.)

I'm as happy with my camera as the proverbial pig in poop.

I have a Fujifilm Finepix F31 and I'm pretty happy with it. I was like you when I first went to buy a camera, overwhelmed by all the choice. I ended up doing a lot of research, starting at Which? (kind of the UK version of Consumer Reports). You have to pay to look through the reviews on the Which website, but I signed up for a free 30 day trial and cancelled at the end of the period (though I'm now thinking of paying for a subscription). I also looked through all the reviews at this site.

I decided I wanted a mid-range priced camera, good enough to take impressive pictures but no bells and whistles and when I decided on one I shopped around online to find the best price. It was AMAZING how much the price varied from place to place. I ended up getting it while it was on promotion at a local camera shop for £130, which was the lowest price I found.

The one thing I don't love about my camera, and this is something to consider, is that it doesn't have a viewfinder. I can only see what I'm taking a picture of on a digital screen and when the sun is shining, it can be very difficult to see the screen properly and it would be nice to be able to look through a viewfinder. But otherwise I love it. Good luck!

But I also know very little about cell phone cameras -- do they take decent pictures? Is it easy to get the picture off the phone and into the computer?

Cell phone cameras. Generally, they take adequate pictures. (A very literally hot off the press example.) They can usually be e-mailed to places like Flickr with no real effort once you have a contact set up. But they're mostly for sharing with other phone users, not for substituting for a "real" camera.

I will be getting the Kodak Easyshare V1253 later this summer because it shoots HD video. If you're interested in video and don't want to spend $400+ on a camcorder, check it out.