Please advise me on what camera to buy

[Shelfaniel]

Hi,

This is my first time getting a digital camera. Still a newbie in the photography world but hope to becoming better as the day goes! ^_^
Anyway, below is the answer to the questionnaire.

Budget
Ard S$700

Size
Size does not matter to me

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
Do not really need to have high megapixels since I will not be printing big pictures oftenly

* What optical zoom will you need?
Not very sure about this. but definetly not below 3X zoom

* How important is “image quality” to you?
10. Very important

Do you care for manual controls?
Yes

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
I will be mainly using for landscape, scenary, plants, animals, food. Sometimes, will also be using to photograph people

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Rarely

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Might be shooting those low light photos, eg. night time scenary

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Rarely

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?
Quite interested in brands like Canon and Nikon

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features?
If possible, Image Stabliser.

[fionndruinne]

You haven't specified; are you looking for a fixed-lens or a DSLR camera?

[Shelfaniel]

Sorry, forgot to indicate that point.
I would like a non-DSLR camera because I'm still new, so think that I should start with a simpler camera before moving on to DSLR camera in the future.

[SpecialK]

DSLR's are not more complicated than a P&S such as the Canon S3 IS. That is a common myth.

With that said, Beach camera has the Pentax K100D with kit lens for $395 (after USA rebate.)

[TheWengler]

With a budget like that I'd say just get an entry level DSLR. Both the Nikon D40 and the Pentax K100D are nice. I think the Nikon is supposed to have great in camera help and Pentax has in body IS. You'll get great image quality and low light performance. For night landscapes you'll need a tripod. As for lenses, the Nikon comes in a kit so you won't need to worry about it right away. The Pentax also has a kit option but you might want something more versatile (more reach, better magnification ratio). If you still want to avoid DSLR's you don't need to spend $700 to satisfy your needs. The Canon S3 and S5 are nice. You should read the reviews for all of these cameras. They're all under "buyers guide".