<font color=skyblue>I am in the market to buy, but would like to be pointed in a generally good direction on how to purchase one that is worth the money. </font>

<font color=cccccc>Larry, when it comes to portable electronics I spend the extra money and buy only one brand, Sony. I have seen Sony products dropped in mud, coated with dust, covered with oily substances, and just about anything else a soldier could attempt just shy of smashing it. I have seen exceptional service, or replacement at 'No Cost', so I have stuck with them.

My digicam is now 2 years old, it's a Sony, 4MP, with 3 level video capability. In Hi-Res mode it will compete with just about any other brand dedicated digi-vid.

From the 2nd year after we bought our video camera some 13 odd years ago, we have not used one. However, my new one has the capability, and exceptional quality, that mode is not used very often.

I don't have the 'short-cut' on this machine, but there is a dedicated site that reviews nothing but digital products. There one can read real reviews from real people on all sorts of digital products.</font>

To add to what Felix said, what I would look for are features that you want. And I can tell you that my average experience uses almost none of the fancy features in my camera [img]smile.gif[/img]

I'd look for memory, pixel size, and display ability. The little screen display is probably the single most common "feature" I use on mine.

<font color=skyblue>Thanks for the tips, you two. Both are valid and useful posts. I will keep this in mind as I begin to shop.

Another thing. Don't ya think I should wait until after the holidays so that the prices will not be at a premium and there be a higher selection in the stores?

Whaddya think?</font>

What I would look for is a model being discontinued. Its price will then drop quite nicely. Don't worry too much about it being discontinued; that's why you go with a name brand like Sony. Your model will be obsolete (technology-wise) within a year, two tops, and it will be discontinued or replaced then.

If you want to get something the day after Christmas, that's one thing; everyone's selling stuff like mad then. Just know what model and features you're looking for first, and if you can't find it, don't get it [img]smile.gif[/img]

When I thought I was going to be getting that $45,000 from Microsoft, I was GOING to buy this maybe:

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=10350

It's a PRO Camcorder, and is one of the best in the world. It's also $5000 though. If I ever win a lotto, it's MINE! :D