Digital Camera ?

If your using USB 2.0 the differance between having a card reader or reading directly from a usb 2.0 device is inperceiveable.

As for XD vs SD, pick one and dont worry about it. Olympus used smart media in the last camera so did Fuji.
Just the flavor of the day.

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Gary in Central Ohio

I have used quite a few digicams and can offer the following thoughts:

1) Don't pay any attention to digital zoom claims. Optical zoom is the only thing that matters.

2) Batteries are important. Li batteries are great, but usually proprietary and expensive to replace. I prefer a camera that takes regular AAs. Then you can buy NiMH rechargeables and a recharger. My Fuji (S602z) uses AAs, and I believe that the model that you are looking at does as well.

3) Storage. You are on the right track buying a larger capacity card. I would reccomend a 64 or 128 MB xD card for this camera.

4) Card reader. Buy the card reader, even if the camera can interface with the PC. Best investment that you can make. $20 or less. Plug it in to a USB port on your PC and you will be able to browse your memory card as if it were a hard drive in "My Computer". This makes it very easy and fast to move and manipulate photos. Plus, you are not using battery power on the camera to do so.

Overall, you are on the right track and are looking at at quality camera. Buy it and have fun!

We really like the Olympus Camedia C-740. It has one of the longer REAL zoom lenses, as opposed to digital enhancement. The USB plug lets you scan the pictures directly on the camera. Get the larger memory card and you have a great camera. PC Magazine liked this one about a year ago.

I have had a Sony Mavica CD for two and a half years and it has been a WORK HORSE for me and the two newspapers I write for. You can't just go by the mega pixils because some that say they have high ones still don't have the quality you'd want even for just a hobby camera....

Try to get one whose flash is right above the lens or as near to right above as possible....that will keep your lighting better just like on our old reliable 35 mms...

Have fun!

Right Suzy,I hear sony and canon have the best lenses.BIL has the canon and went with it as a 3 megapixil canon was equal to 4 megapixel of some other brands.He got the 4 megapixil,and what great pics they are.So I got the lense lesson taught to me,and will go canon or sony for that reason.
BooBoo

Thanks everyone...after shopping online I called around and have stores locally that have a few of the cameras mentioned here. Hopefully I'll find one today.

Checking around online I found that several of the cheaper stores had bad ratings from customers with sales people calling your home trying to upsell, or such. One store was selling a refurbished product for more thanothers were selling a brand new one. Some of the cameras mentioned by others here were out of my budget (under $150 US). Some were cheap, rated well but added $20 or so for shipping which took them over the top.

So I checked all around by phone and ended up at the big Mart and got a Fuji FinePix A330 for $148. When I handled the A210 it was just awkward for me. Shopping in person has left me much happier with the product. I have already begun taking photos. Got the Energizer NiMH battery charger (30 minutes) as well as a carry case. All for much less than online. Sometimes it pays to check at home too.

Thanks for your help.