Quote Originally Posted by ForeverAutumn
If you want a digital SLR I can offer no help. If you want just a plain digital point and shoot, I can help. I bought a new camera last summer. After much research and discussion with the good folks in my local camera shop (I highly recommend a camera store over a big box store if you're looking for good advice), I ended up with a Panasonic TZ1 ($429 CDN) and am loving it!

We've been shopping for a camera for my mom for Xmas, and have decided on a Panasonic for her also. I forget the model number...LZ5 or something like that...but it's about $299 CDN. The reason that we chose Panasonic for mom was for the image stabilizer. No other make, at that price point, included this feature.

The higher end Panasonics have Leica lens's (mine has it, mom's doesn't).

Whatever you get, make sure that your camera includes an image stabilizer. This feature is amazing, expecially when you are using the zoom.

Here's an old thread that might help... off topic -- digital camera purchase
Panasonic huh? Are theirs good? Each time I use that program to find a camera, I have left off Panasonic as a brand to look at. And each time it comes back with a half dozen Panasonics that it thinks I would like. How is it to use? Does it take nice (read easy & clear) pics?