Need help choosing a camera

[Asterisk]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone could help me with choosing a camera. Or at least point me in some direction because I'm lost.

Right now I have A Sony DSC P200
It was just one I bought because it had 7.2 megapixels and was one of the cheapest I could find with that much. But I really know nothing about cameras so that was the only thing I looked at really >.<

Anyway I was looking at cameras more like this one, and I know that I definitely want one that actually takes pictures fast. Mine has a 5[ish] second delay, so it goes without saying that I usually miss what I'm trying to take a picture of :/


So I was wondering if anyone could help me out. All I really know is that I want it to take pictures fast and definitely be digital so I can get pictures on my computer fast. From there, I have no idea. So what features//specifications should I look out for? What brands should I look at? etc...anything you can add to help would be nice

Oh, I'm willing to spend about 700...not much more than that because I'm about to buy a car.

Thanks!

[angelsix]

:idea: We don't have enough data to try to help you. Such as:

What size camera do you want? Shirt pocket, hip case, shoulder strap, SLR size? There generally is an inverse ratio between size and photo quality, but a direct ratio between size and convenience.

Do you like lots of complexity and options, or simplicity of operation?

What kinds of things do you shoot? Vacation snapshots; carefully composed sunsets, with tripod; portraits; closeups, low light, etc.?

What do you do with the photos (print 4x6, just look at on computer, or print 8x10)?

Is speed of startup the only thing you don't like about your camera?

P.S. For more info that will hope focus answers, read the "Which camera" sticky thread.
Which camera is right for me? Please read before posting.