What's a good digital camera to buy for my sweetheart?

I bought my wife a Nikon coolpix. Not sure of the model, but it was only like 80 bucks. She loves it. I’m assuming you’re looking for point and shoot cameras (not dslr’s)?

yep sorry guys, I need a compact point n shoot camera, we’re not ready for any kind of SLR.

I’d second a Nikon Coolpix. There are several different models out right now, so you could most likely find one in your budget. I received my first Nikon Coolpix camera about 10 years ago and just upgraded it to a newer one this past summer.

Go for Canon SX210 it you can get it around 245 bucks, trust me its the best camera in that range..just type the name of any other camera in google along with canon SX210 and compare the features

I would whole-heartedly recommend a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. You cannot find a better point and shoot camera in the $200–300 price range. It also takes HD video (with sound)!

I am no salesman, just an avid lover of point-and-shoot photography who has had nothing but good experiences with this model and its predecessor. After my older model died (which took about 3 years of manhandling – dropping it 3–4 times a week, leaving it in a purse out in the rain on 2 occasions, and so on), I was given a Nikon Coolpix as a replacement. The quality of the photos from the Coolpix was so bad in comparison to my recently deceased 3-year old Panasonic that I stopped taking pictures altogether. As a side note, I’ve seen some photos from Canon point-and-shoots and none of them are as good as what I take in the “A” setting on my Panasonic (it has lots of other features, as well, if you ever feel like delving into its options). I hear Canons are very durable, though.

I definitely agree with ashek1, as well, in that you should compare camera features if you want to get the best bang for your buck. New models come out daily, and it’s hard to know what’s “best.” I hope your wife enjoys whatever model you happen to buy. :)

Don’t forget to consider Olympus. I paid less than $100 for mine and it has all the features I want, including a 5x optical zoom and a 3” screen.

Most important, it is small, light and thin, not fat like so many others (kodak, Canon, Samsung etc). It easily slips in my shirt pocket.

Keep in mind that the secret of good photography is not to have a good camera, it is to have a good camera WITH YOU as often as possible.

BTW, you don’t really need more than 5MB of resolution unless you’re in the poster business.

@achenier which Olympus model are you referring to ?

@FabricatingReality I just compared Canon SX 210 to Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7.. and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 is better (score wise 100 vs just 70 for SX210)

Re Olympus. You may want to look at their new VG-140.
Re Canon. Everyone in my family who have bought Canons have had problems with reliability.

You may also want to consider a camera that has a panorama function, such as Sony and Lumix. This allows you to take very wide photos, like the interior of a room, or a sweping landscape.

Another nice feature is ‘one-button’ video which allows you to switch easily between still photography and video without having to fiddle with dials..

I recently tried a Casio ( because of the very low price), and returned it because the optics were not acceptable (blurry, like an aquarelle painting!).