[citizen]

If you're willing to accept my biased advice, look for a Canon Powershot A610 or A620.....production run is over, but I'm sure there are some still available. Very good image quality, either 5 or 7 megapixels. Like most D/C's they are only about 35mm(equivalent) at widest, only 3-4x zoom, non-IS, but for <$250 a great value. Got an A610 (5mp) 'bout a year ago, will ALWAYS keep it. NICE swing-out lcd screen, helps hard-to-frame shots. Many "better" D/C's run 2-3x more which is entry-level for DSLRs, 'nother whole ball of wax. Not a small, pocketable size, but durably made and well-featured; even makes good video.......SD memory cards determine length of vid (512mp card suggested minimum).