Please help in choosing a camera!!

[gary_hendr]

Hi

I've put up a list of the top 10 digital cameras for serious amateurs at the following page:
http://www.basic-digital-photography...-amateurs.html

You may want to check them out.

I'm new to digital cameras, and sick of getting the bad shot, but not knowing till they are developed. I would like at least a 6x zoom and I would be taking sports, landscape and family pictures (a wide variety). I have looked at many cameras, but can't decide which would be good (Kodak 6490, Minolta Z2 or Z3, Canon S1 IS and more). Price range would be anywhere up to $400. I appreciate any input to help! Thanks!!

[drjimmy42]

I am just a beginner at this, but I have recently bought a Canon S1 at I absolutely love it. It has lots of manual control plus idiot mode for when I just want to take pictures. The video camera part is truly amazing, but get yourself a large high speed compact flash card. I don't know about the other cameras you mentioned but the canon is great. The 10x zoom compensates for only 3megapixels IMO. Again, just a beginner, but this camera is great.