Help selecting a camera

[sirhoff]

Hi everyone, I am looking to purchase a digital camera. I want something middle of the road (not point and shoot, not professional)

- in the 4 to 5 megapixel range maybe even higher if practicle
- something that has some manual features (focus, aperature etc)
- a nice zoom preferably optical, I don't trust digital zooms
- a nice ergonomic size but not something that is going to be heavy or bulky
- I'd love some video/audio ability
- no more than around $500
- and one that takes great photos. I want to replace my film camera.

I am a graphic designer and take lots of photos to be used digitally.

I haven't done much research at all but I saw the Kodak DX7590 and thought it looked pretty good.

Thanks for the advice.

[Photo-John]

I'd recommend starting with the Top Ten List on the Home page of this site: http://www.pcphotoreview.com/

Those are the cameras with the most views here. They're also usually the highest-rated cameras. Canon is generally the favorite manufacturer with this community. I used the search to find 4-5 megapixel cameras that meet your criteria. Here's a link to that page: http://www.pcphotoreview.com/ASRcrx....rtField2Order=

As for some specific recommendations, I suggest looking at the Canon S60 and S70, the Panasonic Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20, and the Sony DSC-W1 and T1. Those are good tcameras to start with. They all get good reviews and they'll give you an idea of features and prices.