[rentfrog]

I currently have
Fuji Finpix s2100 - has many options, shoots in raw, manual and auto modes 10x zoom, excellent pics. Not the compact, stick in your pocket or purse type camera though. Excellent for pulling out and taking quick pics though.

Fuji (don't remember the model) great point and shoot, compact, can fit in your pocket, takes good pics, not the most options, but a great little bum around camera.

Nikon Coolpix (also don't remember the model) this one is an older camera, but my fav as far as compact point and shoot and pic quality, but it did crap out on me at one point. Went and bought the Fuji (compact model) and then it started working again out of nowhere.

OLD HP model - dont remember, don't recommend HP cameras at all, was clunky (even for those times) not very sturdy (battery compartment door broke almost immediately) and didn't take very good pics.

ANCIENT 1- mp Fuji - that thing takes a licking and keeps on ticking, has been on float tips, used by kids, dropped, sat on, stepped on........never had a single issue with it!! That is exactly why I keep it. LOL

And last but not least, my newest addition

Canon Rebel XS - LOVE LOVE LOVE this camera. Someday I may decide to upgrade, but for now, I think it is all I will need for some time. I can always upgrade lenses, so can't imagine needing to upgrade any time soon. Downside, it WONT fit in your pocket or purse, so keeping it handy for any shot that might come up, well.....probably not going to happen. LOL

Think about where you want to go with photography and what you will really use your camera for before purchasing. If you don't intend to expand to more than personal photography, I would go with a point and shoot.

If you want easy portability, I would go with a compact, if you want more options, but don't want the expense of dslr, there are great upper end camera's out there.

If you are not going dslr, I would personally go with Fuji.

Why Fuji??

Of ALL of the cameras I have had over the years, Fuji's seem to be the most sturdy, give me the best pics of any point and shoots, and last forever as evidenced by the OLD 1 mp I STILL have all these years later (and it still works!)

This is all just my opinion though