Having bought several digital cameras over the last couple years, I have to recommend (if you can afford it) the Nikon D50. It won't disappoint you, and the battery is rechargable, and lasts for 2,500 pictures. I had a Minolta DiImage something or other that ate $10.00 batteries every 20 pictures or so, and the Nikon, while it costs twice as much, has saved me a ton of money in the batteries alone.

I also have a Fuji digital camera that I got on closeout at Office Depot for free after rebate and it takes ok pictures. But you can't really tell what you are taking a picture of or what the camera has decided to focus on.

What really makes the Nikon a nice camera is that you look into the viewfinder, and can see what the camera has in focus. It's an autofocus, but you can control what's the center of focus. Most digital cameras have that LCD on the back that you see everyone holding the camera at arms length and trying to frame a picture in. How much detail can you see on a postage stamp sized display at 3 feet?

Using one of my other digital cameras, I took 100 pictures at a wedding and they all were awful. I almost put up a website, lousyweddingphotos.com!

The Nikon D50 has a LCD on the back but it's for viewing and not for framing, composing, or focusing. Those functions are done with the viewfinder.

Thanks for the info I really need to buy me one of these.

I love my D50. I had no idea the battery was only good for 2,500 photos, though. I got my D50 about six months ago and have taken significantly more than 2,500 photos on it. Do I need to buy a new battery for it? Or am I misunderstanding you (I have a rechargeable one and recharge it about every 8-10 days now)?

The battery is supposed to be good for 2,500 pictures before *recharging* not total use. I find that number amazing since the Minolta I had ate the $10.00 lithium batteries as if they were grains of rice. Serious, the Minolta I have wants a set of batteries every 20 - 30 pictures.

I don't think you need to recharge it that often. I've had my camera for more than a year, and use the flash a lot, and have taken about 3,000 pictures. I've only recharged one time.