Canon Powershot A590 Is Reviews
What is the best brand (or any particular one) for a digital camera?

I have a Canon A series camera, something like this http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/31419/overview/canon_powershot_a590_is.html
but waaaayy older, plus it is broken. Now I want a new one. I like the Manual function on the canon camera. I use the shutter thing and the time exposure thing.
I was thinking about buying the Canon SD series(the lighter and skinnier ones). But why limit myself? So now, can you tell me what other brands or particular camera is good and has the function I want.
I am planning to buy one before Xmas, so do you think there will be any new ones coming out?

Dell on line has the Canon A590 IS for $115-+shipping. For any price in that area the value is there. You are getting shutter/aperture priority or just leave on auto, an image stabilizer, and fairly quick “next shot delay”. 8 megapixels, 4X optical zoom. So please consider this model.

Canon Powershot A590 Is Reviews

When you are looking for cheap digital cameras, you can look at different manufacturers and different models. Keep in mind that even if you want a cheap camera, you still want to have quality images and features that make using the camera worth the time. If you buy a cheap camera that does not have high megapixels or a good zoom in and out, you might find that the camera is not something you can use in different situations. For a cheap digital camera under two hundred and fifty dollars, you might look for a Canon PowerShot A580.

The camera has 8 megapixels, which is good, but not as good as the Canon PowerShot A590 IS that has manual exposure settings and image stabilizer and 8 megapixels. The A590 IS is only thirty dollars more and you will have more features and better quality pictures. The Nikon Coolpix S200 is another cheap digital camera that has 7.1 megapixels. The camera is light and compact. The point and shoot camera does rank high with users. The camera does have some features that you would not use with this type of camera. The price however, is affordable under one hundred and fifty dollars.

The Fuji FinePix Z5fd is another cheap digital camera for under one hundred and twenty dollars. If you plan to make prints larger than the standard 4 by 5, you will not find this camera compatible for your needs. The camera only has 6.3 megapixels, but is a lightweight and compact camera that fits anywhere. Two other cameras to look at are the Kodak Easyshare V1253 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8. If you are looking for cheap digital cameras, you can find many different models that offer quality pictures and some nice features. These are just a few that you can look at.

While Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Fuji are some of the best when it comes to high quality digital cameras, they’re certainly not the only game in town. There are equal and better cameras around, you just need to know where to look.

which of these 2 cameras should i get?

PANASONIC LUMIX TZ4

Well, you picked two very good sounding camera’s.
I have had many canon camera’s so I can speak to their excellency. However, I hear good things about the Lumix series too. Both reviews sounded good to me.
Do you have use for the 10x zoom in the Lumix?
Will you use the movie mode, and do you have an HD TV to play them on?
If YES to both questions, then get the Lumix.
If NO to both questions, then get the canon.
Good luck, have fun, you will be very happy with either camera.
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I presently am using the canon SD series camera (compact camera fits in a pocket) but I have had a few A series cameras in the past. I wanted to point out that the A series uses AA batteries, so remember to factor in a good charger and some rechargeable AA batteries. Don’t bother using alkaline batteries, they don’t last very long at all.

The Lumix has a custom Lithium Ion battery pack and includes the charger, so no extra cost here.
Personally, I prefer the included battery pack and charger (Canon SD series uses lithium pack). If you worry about a battery dying at an in-opportune time, buy a spare and keep it charged up.
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another thought: since you said you don’t know anything about cameras, then I would steer you toward the Canon SD series. They take excellent pictures, and, very important I think, are small enough to easily carry with you. If a camera can easily fit in a pocket or purse, you are much more likely to take it with you, and therefore to take a picture. And with the Canon SD camera’s, it will be a very good picture.
Check out this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SD1100IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B0012YC7AE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1212720714&sr=1-1

it comes in silver or pink or gold or blue, about $220.

For a little less money you can get a simpler SD cam for $160

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SD1100IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B0012YC7AE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1212720714&sr=1-1

I have and still love the SD800IS

Canon Powershot A590IS Review