Jeff's 1st rule of camera buying: 
Handle several cameras at a store, go home and sleep on it, then finish reading all of this site before you buy a camera - 75% of the people in my digital photography classes figure out they bought the wrong camera for their needs and skill level by the 3rd night of our course. Spend 10% extra to buy locally.  Spend $100 extra to get a better 10X optical zoom lens if you are buying a point and shoot. Get spare batteries.  Get spare memory cards.   Read reviews first, there is something wrong with every camera - find out what's not up to par before you buy - 4 review sites are listed below.

Point and shoot vs. dSLR cameras
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/should-you-buy-a-dslr-or-point-and-shoot-digital-camera/

Read this over if you have time, it is full of good info....
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/13/scitech/pcanswer/main3826231.shtml

Try this site to get oriented, but also keep reading below:
How to Buy a Digital Camera

I use point and shoot cameras and dSLR's.  Here's what I remind people they need to consider:

Point and Shoot

dSLR

3" screen, thin body that is easy to carry, lens that has a built in cover when retracted, movie mode, 6 MP or better, 8x optical zoom or better, relatively noise free ISO up to 800 but I'd like to have the 1600 and 3200 ISO option too even if noisy (for example, indoors during a "no-flash allowed" wedding or graduation ceremony I'd rather end up with a noisy sharp shot than a blurry, low noise shot)...internal noise reduction is nice, optical viewfinder instead of LCD viewfinder is my personal preference but you can get used to either kind I suspect (at least get a real viewfinder, in addition to the LCD on the back) 16:9 aspect ratio option is very nice if you are going to display on a high tech new 16:9 tv, RAW plus jpg formats, optical image stabilization, playback histogram option with blown highlight warning, and 32 to 64MB internal memory when you forget your memory card

3" screen, 8 MP or better (12MP is wonderful - if you are planning on 11 x 17, 13 x 19, or 16x20 prints), relatively noise free ISO up to 800 but I'd like to have the 1600 and 3200 ISO option too even if noisy (for example, indoors during a "no-flash allowed" wedding or graduation ceremony I'd rather end up with a noisy sharp shot than a blurry, low noise shot)...internal noise reduction is nice, hotshoe for external flash, 16:9 aspect ratio option is very nice if you are going to display on a high tech new 16:9 tv, sRAW plus RAW plus jpg formats, optical image stabilization, live view histograms can be useful but at least get the playback histogram option with blown highlight warning plus HDMI output to go directly to your newest digital ready flatscreen tv's, improved dust cleaning, Creative Auto setting, Auto Lighting Optimizer, tone priority exposure control, Canon's Digic IV processor, face recognition, cropping and editing in camera, resolution change in-camera on existing images, video clips, intervalometer (time-lapse), blue-tooth connectivity, 16:9/4:3/3:2 aspect ratios in one camera, gps i.d., perfect shot preview, panoramic mode, Dynamic Range Optimizers, best shot selector, touch screen controlled LCD's, tilting LCD's, film simulation mode, AA battery pack insert option, etc.

Here are the camera features on some cameras (not all) that drive some people crazy:

• no indication of what resolution setting is currently in use
  
• no viewfinder (yes, no viewfinder is an option on a lot of cameras which means you must turn on the screen on the back and hold the camera out in front of you to compose pictures - I have one and love it - slimline cameras often do this which makes them handy, but...)
  
• too small an LCD viewer on the back of their camera - get at least a 3" screen
  
• only getting 3 megapixel resolution when they really want 5-6 megapixels to allow for 8x10 inch prints
  
• no 10X (or better) optical zoom - only 3X
• not being able to trust "Scene Modes" because those factory set modes force you to use an option that you don't want
  
• no information LCD display on top or on the back of their camera that reminds them what settings are currently in use
• clumsy process for switching from shooting mode to playback mode
• buttons are too small for adult fingers
• having to press 16 buttons and nested menu settings just to turn on or off their flash, or the close-up setting, or change resolution, or adjust ISO
• no indication of whether you are working with spot or averaging exposure and/or focus metering
• not knowing how to get the histogram on or off from their playback screens (better know what a histogram is if you're buying a digital camera)
• no image stabilization feature for steadier, sharper shots
• no clear indication you are in bracket mode or exposure compensation mode, or you have switched off auto white balance
  

What camera features are noteworthy, in my opinion?

• large 3" LCD screens
• being able to do some minor editing in the camera
• internal noise reduction option
• preview a sample captured image on your screen without actually taking a shot
• 10 or more megapixel resolution
• ISO options down to 64 and up to 3200
• flash that pops up high enough to raise it above the camera slightly
• Panasonic has some cameras with up to 18X optical zoom
• Canon Digic IV CMOS image processors and sensors
• cameras that also offer the option of saving in .dng format
• sRAW file format option in some Canon's
• point and shoot cameras and dSLR's with Live View on the LCD
• live view histograms
• film simulation mode (in some Fuji's)
• Dynamic Range Optimizer in some Sony's
• time lapse movie mode in some point and shoots
• ability to enlarge the Live View to check focus before capture (some Panasonics)
• USB 2.0 High Speed
• in camera highlight blinking warning during preview
• tilting LCD for holding the camera over your head
• 16:9 aspect ratio option
• auto sensor cleaning
• LCD with touch-screen menu capability
• on board memory up to 64MB and higher (no storage card required)
• dual AA or proprietary battery option
• best shot selector
• option to change resolution after-capture in camera
• dedicated buttons for ISO, flash, metering, resolution change, white balance
  
• option to add audio notes after image is captured
• built in speaker for video playback

Accessories I use (see my accessory web page)

Hoodman loupe for viewing your LCD screen (pics and menus and histograms) in bright daylight
ExpoDisc exposure disc
Photovision gray/black/white portable target
Optech stretchy camera strap
Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod
Tripod ball head
Epson P2000 portable image back-up and viewer
SensorScope dust inspection unit and dust brush
Bogen monopod with hidden built in tripod legs
Think Tank belt and and camera/lens pouches
Memory cards - don't buy one huge 2GB memory card, buy 2 or 3 1GB or 4 512MB cards instead (don't shoot all of an event or a one-time trip on one big card).

Get oriented, this hobby requires a little homework first.  Here are some of the better buyer's guides and info sites:

Digital Photography School guides are very helpful:

How to Buy a Digital Camera

• Should You Buy a DSLR or a Point and Shoot Digital Camera?
• Which Memory Card Should I Buy?
• When is the Best Time to Buy a Digital Camera?
• How to Choose a DSLR Camera
• DSLR Lenses - An Introduction
  

• Photography Tips for Beginners
• Composition Tips
• Digital Cameras and Gear
• How to Photograph....
• Portrait Photography
• Post Production Tips and Techniques
  

• Popular Cameras
• Digital Camera Store

The terms and jargon are all explained here:  http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/

PC World's How to Buy a Digital Camera

PC Photo article on how to choose a digital camera

Imaging Resource's web site is well written  http://www.imaging-resource.com/
 
Amazon's Learning Center is very helpful

www.dpcorner.com -  Arthur Bleich Everything you need to know about digital photography

CNet buyer's guide has very helpful information if you're not sure what category of buyer you fit into.  Also has great info on current memory cards.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/ is a helpful site.

Betterphoto's web site is helpful
http://www.betterphoto.com/digital/dcguide.asp

Frank Phillips - nice beginner's guide to
dig photography and good lessons on buying,
getting started in editing, resolution, compression, etc. 

Read a few reviews of the cameras you are considering:

• Steve Sanders' Steves-Digicams.com
• Jeff Keller's DCResource.com
• Dave Ettchels' Imaging-Resource.com
• Phil Askey's dpreview.com

Write down a budget plan:
Cost of camera
Memory cards
Accessories (spare batteries, tripod, lenses, flash, cases, cleaning supplies, etc.)
Computer
Software
Printer
Paper and ink cartridges
Camera insurance extra coverage rider on your existing policy, if needed


Compare cameras

If you are not familiar with Steve's Digicams web site - start there for good info, reviews, buyer's guides, etc.

Steve Sander's Best Cameras site already has the year's best cameras selected for you.
Jeff Keller's DC Resource let's you see the manufacturer's complete camera listing all on one page with features

Phil Askey's http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp will let you select by features on 2 or more cameras and compare them side by side.

Sort your camera purchase ideas by checking off specs at ZDNet

Steve Sander's Best Cameras already selected for you.

Buyer's Guide at PC Photo

4-16-2007 Robin Liss' reviews are helpful at digitalcamerainfo.com


Want more info on gadgets, accessories, printers, etc.?
CLICK


If you are near Rochester NY or the Finger Lakes area consider these sales people:

Wright Images
585-586-3250. across from Pittsford Plaza, Rochester
Mike Wright
WRIGHT3160@aol.com

Ray Supply Inc
Sheila Mender or Mike Giarusso (both of these sales people are very helpful either on the phone or e-mail)
871 Route 9
Queensbury  NY  12804
518-792-5848 x 206
sales@raysupply.com

Scott’s Photo
1755 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610
585-442-3140
http://www.scottsphoto.com/index.htm
scottsphoto@scottsphoto.com