plz help me choose my 1st camera

[minerva]

hi everyone,
i am a college student and i do some travelling. i would lik to purchase my 1st digital camera very soon.from this website i have learnt that i need the foll. for the cam.:
1. 2 or 3 magapixels( i want to have 4x6 or 5x7 inch prints)
2. i want it to record some short clips of stuff so i won't have to buy a camcorder (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)
3. one that is small and UNDER $200
4. AA alkaline batteries

thanks everyone or ur opinions :) .

[PMR]

The Canon A510 is a good choice for you. It is not an ultracompact but it gives you manual controls. It has 3 mp. It can record short video clips and uses 2 AA batteries. It also uses SD media. It is priced about $200.

[PhilR.]

The A510 would also be my first choice (has manual exposure modes, which might not be important to you), but I thought I would also mention that if you have a Wal-mart nearby, you might go there and look at what they have. The one close to me has several 3.2mp/3x cameras in your price range, including the Nikon 3200 for $185. It too uses two AA's and SD cards. They also had a nice little HP, also 3.2mp/3x, for $128. There were also an assortment of other Olympi, Fuji, and Kodak models in your price range as well.

Don't sweat the choice - there isn't a lot of difference at your price range. Stick with a camera from one of the major manufacturers, and you'll be fine...

PhilR.