I got a canon. I think they're pretty good cameras. I did research and that's how I decided on the brand. (Canon Powershot XT... or something similar to that name...) Mine was actually around $400. My mom has a much cheaper one and it still is pretty good. (I don't know how much it cost her.) sorry, I don't remember the details of my camera (or Canon camera), but they're good... I take LOTS of pictures and I am satisfied. (up to 500+ some days... heh)
i have an olmpus cam and i love it. and thats wat brand im getting next. it all depends on how experienced u r with cameras also. like i know kodak is the easiest 2 learn and as u go up 2 the more expensive 1s it takes a lil more 2 learn. but i love my cam u have many dif options color changes designs u can choose from. if u go on www.olympus.com u can look at all the dif cameras and they will show u wat kind of pic they take wat features and everything about it.
A lot depends on what you want to do with the pictures that you take. If you are wanting to do editing and enlargements then go with the higher mega pixels. I have digital ranging from 2 mp to 8mp. The all take great pictures. But, if I want to make enlargements or to edit them and enlarge only a single area go with the higher mp. Kodac makes a great 10mp. I think it runs about $300. Cannon makes great ones also. I have a Rebel SLR digital 8mp but it runs about $1000. Good luck.
My first digicam was an Olympus for about $200. I'm sure the exact model is no longer on the market but they still have great quality cameras. The quality and versatility of this small camera is amazing. Its so easy to use and comes with an easy editing program if you're not into Photoshop yet.
I now have a Canon SLR but keep my Olympus with me as a back-up. I really love it.
Sony also makes a great digital camera that's easy to use but its a bit more expensive. I'd recommend either and the Canon as the previous poster recommended.
When you buy a digital camera, look for:
Megapixel at 6.0 or higher (8.0 is great for a digicam)
Magnification 3X or higher
Stabilization (to avoid camera shake)
Decent viewing screen on the back
What's made my decision in buying cameras over the years is when I "hold" it in my hands. While I wanted a camera that fit in my purse or my husband's pocket, I wanted it to "feel good" in my hands. Not every camera feels good to every person. Before you buy, go to a camera shop and hold a few first.
You can take amazing photos with the right camera. Oh, and the number of photographs you take depends on the memory card you have.