Canon PowerShot A520
The PowerShot A520 is a compact camera that has a 4 Megapixel CCD and a 4X zoom lens. It packs features usually found on much more expensive cameras including full manual controls and support for conversion lenses. It also supports Canon's external slave flash should you need one. It's a little weak in the movie mode department, though. The PowerShot A510 is the same camera but with 3.2 Megapixels.

Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH
When you want a small, fast camera, the SD300 (and its 3.2 Megapixel sibling, the SD200) is a great choice. It's totally point-and-shoot, but it's super-fast, has a large LCD, and a great VGA movie mode. Image quality isn't as good as larger cameras, but for web photos and prints as large as 8 x 10 it's great choice.

Fuji FinePix F10
The FinePix F10 is a point-and-shoot camera with a twist. It uses its 6.3 Megapixel SuperCCD HR sensor to produce high quality images even at ISO 1600. This comes in handy when you want to take photos in natural light instead of using the flash. Other features include a 3X zoom lens, 2.5" LCD display, VGA movie mode, and AF-assist lamp.

Kodak EasyShare DX7440
If it's good enough for my mom, it's good enough for you. This camera takes pretty good pictures for 8 x 10 inch prints and smaller. It has a larger than average 2.2" LCD that's visible in bright outdoor light as well as in dim lighting. It's super-easy to use -- sharing your photos doesn't get any easier than this. Shooting performance -- most noticeably autofocus performance -- is excellent. Other features include a 4 Megapixel CCD and a 4X zoom lens.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200
I didn't review the DSC-P200 but I did the very similar DSC-P150. The step-up features on the P200 include a more compact body and a larger LCD display. Both cameras feature a 7.2 Megapixel CCD, 3X optical zoom, compact body, fast performance, limited manual controls, and a VGA movie mode.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S90
For those who want a compact, low-priced camera with limited manual controls, expandability, and good performance, the S90 is worth a look. It has a 4.1 Megapixel CCD, 3X optical zoom lens, 2.5" LCD display, AF-assist lamp, and more. It supports conversion lenses and Sony's external slave flash as well. Battery life is superb. To save some money you may also consider the DSC-S60 which has a smaller LCD.

Canon PowerShot G6
An excellent fixed-lens camera with a 7 Megapixel CCD, 4X zoom lens, full manual controls, rotating 2-inch LCD, and support for conversion lenses and an external flash. Photo quality is excellent, though the movie mode leaves something to be desired.

Canon PowerShot S2 IS
The PowerShot S2 is an ultra zoom camera with a sophisticated movie mode. Features on this camera include a 12X optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization system, AF-assist lamp, rotating LCD display, manual controls, and more. The S2's movie mode is first-rate, allowing for almost unlimited recording at 640 x 480, 30 frames/second with stereo sound. The zoom lens can be used during filming, and advanced features like a wind screen and audio level control are also available.

Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital ELPH
This is the "big ELPH", featuring a 7.2 Megapixel CCD, 3X optical zoom, 2.0" LCD, AF-assist lamp, and a thicker body than the other models in the SD series. Other standout features include amazing performance, a unique My Colors feature, and great continuous shooting and movie modes.

Kodak EasyShare DX7590
For ultra zoom power with an easy-to-use interface, check out the Kodak EasyShare DX7590. It takes good quality 5 Megapixel photos, focuses faster than almost any other camera, and has a large 2.2" LCD display that's visible in all lighting conditions. Other features include a 10X zoom lens, support for conversion lenses, and the great EasyShare system for sharing your photos.

Note: The new EasyShare Z7590 is basically the same camera except for IMAGELINK support and a new dock connector.

Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200
A really nice 8 Megapixel camera with a 7X optical zoom lens, image stabilizer, full manual controls, flip-out/rotating LCD display, a hot shoe, and more. Other nice things include manual zoom and focus rings, RAW image support, and an impressive movie mode.

Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom
If you want a wide-angle lens and a lot of pixels, this may be your least expensive option. The C-7070WZ has a 4X zoom lens that starts at just 27 mm. On top of that it has as 7.1 Megapixel CCD, flip-up/rotating LCD, full manual controls, a hot shoe, dual focusing system, customizable menus, and much more.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5
The FZ5 is arguably the best lower-end ultra zoom camera. It features a 12X zoom Leica lens with image stabilization, a 5 Megapixel CCD, manual controls, and great picture quality. The burst mode and focusing speeds are also notable.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20
The FZ20 is the FZ5's big brother in terms of both features and physical size. This camera is, in my opinion, the finest ultra zoom camera on the market. It features a fast 12X Leica lens with image stabilization, full manual controls, a hot shoe, great performance, and superb photo quality. It comes in black or silver bodies. Do note that it doesn't have the same ultra-fast focusing system as the FZ5 though!

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3
A great 7 Megapixel, 4X zoom camera that has one annoying flaw: in bright outdoor light it seems to prefer small apertures (high F-numbers) which greatly reduces photo quality. If you keep an eye on the aperture in these situations you'll get excellent pictures. Other features include manual controls, a hot shoe, support for conversion lenses, a great laser focusing system, zero-light shooting capability, and a VGA movie mode.

Canon Digital Rebel XT
The Rebel XT is a smaller, faster, and higher resolution version of the original Digital Rebel. This Digital SLR has full manual controls, removable lenses, ultra-fast performance, and a hot shoe just as you'd expect. Unlike the original Rebel the camera is not crippled in any way. Its small size makes it a little hard to hold for some folks, so be sure to try one in person before you buy it.

Nikon Coolpix 8400
The Coolpix 8400 is an 8 Megapixel camera with a twist. Its unique feature is its 24 - 85 mm lens, which is wider than anything on the market. The 8400's build quality is excellent, and it supports conversion lenses and an external flash. Image quality is very good and redeye was not a problem. Downsides include sluggish performance, a lackluster movie mode, and a high price.

Nikon D70s
While I have not reviewed it yet, I'm confident in recommending the D70s since it improves on the D70 which was on this list previously. Both cameras have a 6.1 Megapixel sensor, fast performance, and all the other niceties that you'd expect from a D-SLR like this. New features on the D70s include better AF performance, longer battery life, a refined menu system, and a larger LCD. You can get it with an 18 - 70 mm lens for $300 more.

Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom
My favorite 8 Megapixel camera from 2003 doesn't have as much zoom power (5X zoom starting at 28 mm) as the other models in that class, but it takes some of the best pictures and has loads of nice features. It has a hybrid focusing system plus an AF-assist lamp for great focusing in any situation. It also features tons of manual controls, a hot shoe, support for conversion lenses, and dual memory card slots.

Canon EOS-20D
This is the best digital SLR for under $3000 that I've reviewed. It takes excellent 8 Megapixel photos, the burst modes are superb, and build quality is top-notch. Like the Digital Rebel XT, the 20D can use Canon EF or EF-S lenses. I liked this camera so much that I bought one for myself.

Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D
Sure it's a little expensive, but the Maxxum 7D offers something that no other D-SLR can: built-in image stabilization. On top of that it has everything else you'd expect from a camera in this class: great performance and photo quality, expandability, manual controls, RAW image support, and more. The large 2.5" LCD is a nice touch.