Digital Newbie Shopping Cost Effectively - Help!!!

[LittlePalms]

Ok, I'm a digital camera newbie. I know a little bit about cameras. I understand what screen resolution is, I know that higher MegaPixels means better quality and more options. Other than that, I'm not real smart when it comes to digital cameras.

I'm looking to buy a camera for $150 or less if at all possible. Here are my requests...

• Color LCD Screen for after-picture viewing
• A fairly decent zoom
• USB Capabilities
• Rechargable battery
• Expandable memory (or memory card capability)
• Somewhat compact - I have small hands
• Durable and easy to use
• Autofocus and Manual focus BOTH capabilitites preferred
• Mainly will be used for people, maybe some nature, maybe some action.

And here are some cameras that I have skimmed over that seem within my price range

• Samsung Digimax A402 4MP
• Vivitar Vivicam 4100 ?MP
• Vivitar Vivicam 4345 4MP
• Vivitar Vivicam 5385 5MP
• Olympus Camedia D-425 4MP
• Olympus Camedia D-535 3.2MP
• Konica Minolta DiMage x31 3.2MP
• Canon Powershot A510 3.2MP
• Pentax Optio 50 5MP
• Pentax Optio 33LF 3.2MP
• Nikon CoolPix 4600 4MP

Can anyone help me out with this large request? Thanks much in advance!!!!

--Palms

[jrtrent]

I read a short article on choosing a digital camera that I think correctly identifies the two most important things in choosing a camera:

http://www.digitalphoto.com.nf/camera_intro.htm
"The very first thing you need to know is whether you can hold the digital camera easily. And the second thing is whether it is inviting to carry around. . . . If you cannot hold it securely and comfortably and easily it is not for you."

You can only determine this by visiting a shop and handling the cameras in your price range. Can you hold it securely and steadily while pressing the shutter button, and so avoid camera shake? Are the most-used controls easy to access and use? The point about a camera's being inviting to carry is also important. I really dislike wrist straps on cameras and detest belt-loop cases. To be inviting to carry around for me means being small enough to ride comfortably in a shirt pocket, or large enough to hang around my neck from two sturdy neck strap lugs. However, a friend of mine really likes belt-loop cases and thinks that's the only sensible way to carry a camera. He uses a Canon A70, a forerunner to the A510 in your list, with a Canon belt-loop case. I must admit that the A-series Canons feel good in my hands, too.