Gonna be in the market for a new camera soon...

[Jacklynn]

So I have a basic $150 Kodak digital camera, its nice for what it does, it is I think 7.1 mp and has done what we need it to do. But I'm looking into getting a nicer one. I don't need one to take pro pictures or anything, but do want a nice one with some nice features. We will (or at least hope to) be having kids in the next few years and want to capture moments the best I can... and also have a camera in which I can do some artsy stuff with too.

I've heard good things about this camera: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=16303

but that may be a bit much for us, the retail on it is $700, and I would like to stay around or under $500 (I'm starting to save for it now, so it will still be a few months). I've heard good things about Canon though. But with a camera like that, do you have to buy a ton of lens attachments, or for someone who isn't using it for professional reasons, can you just use the camera simply by itself?

These pictures were taken with that camera (by someone I know online). If I took these with the camera I have now, with the same angles and lighting they wouldn't turn out half as nice.
I like this fun feature:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa178/brookwozniak/Disney%202008/Sunday%20November%209%202008/IMG_1525Small.jpg

And this is neat:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa178/brookwozniak/Disney%20January%202009/IMG_5215Small.jpg
I really like stuff like this:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa178/brookwozniak/Disney%20January%202009/IMG_5159Small.jpg

[WebLady]

I would love to have a nicer camera too; but I don't really want a DSLR, I want something small that I can grab and go with. I just want it to take better pictures and have less of a delay. I haven't begun looking though, so I don't know what if anything out there will suit me.

[Jacklynn]

I'm not all that good with the camera lingo, but I do know roughly what an SLR camera is, but are they always large cameras? I do like that I can just shove my camera in my pocket right now... and don't really want something TOO large, but do want something that when I do take an artistic picture view of something, it actually gives me the results I am looking for.

My camera right now doesn't always focus so well, so I guess I am looking for a camera that has more features, and that will focus well.

I might like something like this:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=18329
or something like this:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=17627#reviews

They are smaller and meet our budget a little more...

Brandi how do you feel about Canon? I know you've done a lot of photography.

[WebLady]

Well some SLR's are bigger than others, but they will always be bigger than the standard point and shoot.

Edit: I like Canon :)

I have read good things about the PowerShot SD990 IS

[MrsDM]

Oh I would love a nice camera where I could take artsy pictures too! I just wanted to mention, I don't know if you have a Circuit City by you, but the one I was just in a few days ago, had a lot of cameras left and most were 40% off.

[NOTKT]

www.dpreview.com can really help.