there is a canon point and shot that is like 200$ with a build in Macro.
i suggest you get that, its very worth it

I suggest you get a panasonic TZ-5. Its $249.99 from amazon.com right now.
Has 10x optical zoom and such and such but it is pretty much the king of the cameras in this range.

e/ sry 10x zoom and 9MP - has some other seriously cool features as well

This post was edited by doyleo on Apr 13 2009 04:04pm

Doesn't help me a whole lot, I'm sure there is but I don't think I can find one with 12x optical zoom and 10mp for under $250. I've been looking but to no avail.

I like how you guys are saying 12x zoom. It could be 1mm - 12mm. xD
If you like wildlife, you will need something like 250 + to get close to the animals.

e/ But I think you will need to get some more money.

This post was edited by Qhotex on Apr 13 2009 04:17pm

396 enough? ^^

I've got over $700 left, it is just that I just spent somewhere near $4000 over the last year on my new laptop, tv, ipod, and guitar. I don't know if I want to spend the rest of it on something I'm not completely sure I'll be using for a while. That camera I was looking at has what I want but it is cheap enough that I can buy and not have the feeling that I have to use it. I asked for help to see if anyone knew of a better camera for same or lower price mostly and to inform me on some things I still don't know, like that that isn't a DSLR.

This post was edited by kratos on Apr 13 2009 04:22pm

Also records 720p HD movies!

I'd rather take pictures

Xti eebay.

Photography ain't a cheap sport.

You can pick up something like a Nikon D100 for $200 or so... and a 55-200mm lens for another $150.
This will give you the flexibility of an SLR without spending a whole lot...

vouche