After 2 months of research I finally decided on a Kocak Easy Share DX6490
digital camera.

So far it has been great. It is 4.0 megapixels. It has a 10X optical zoom and a
3X digital zoom. It can also shoot video although I don't believe it to be
quite the quality of a video camera but I have only toyed with the video
portion of the camera.

The 4.0 megapixels is supposedly good for prints up to 20" by 30". I have made
several 4 X 6 prints and the quality, in my eyes is almost as good as a regular
old 35 mm print if not as good.

There are several modes of operation. Auto where the camera does all the work
and you just point and shoot.

Manual mode where you can be creative.

Sport mode for subjects that are in motion.

Portrait for full frame portraits of people. It allows the subject to be sharp
and the background indistinct.

Night mode for night scenes or low light conditions. For this mode a tripod is
recommended because of the slow shutter speeds. I am waiting for the next full
moon and plan to take several shots especially in full 10X optical zoom and the
additional 3X digital to check out the quality of the photographs.

Lastly there is video mode. You can take snippits of 5 sec, 15 sec, 30 sec or
unlimited limited only by the amount of memory available.

There is a burst option whereby you can take a series of 6 photos in rapid
succession 3 per second for sporting events or objects in motion.

You can even adjust the picture quality from the full 4.0 megapixels down to
3.5, 2.1 or 1.1 depending on the quality desired.

I have had the camera since late may and I currently have over 300 photos
downloaded onto my computers hard drive. I have shot everything from portraits
and still scened to athletic events to moving boats and even jets and I am very
happy with the quality of the shots.

I am not going to say that it is better than the good old 35 mm cameras of the
past but for now my Ricoh 35 mm camera is in mothballs until I see the need to
use it again. Digital works great for me. BTW I paid $399 plux tax for mine at
Circuit City. I don't know if the price has come down since then but either way
I am happy with my purchase and my decision to go with Kodak.

Harry, it's worth checking out at the very least. Good luck with your purchase.
It would allow you to take great pics of GWB's inauguration next January. Just
kidding, I know you would not be there unless Mr. Kerry wins. Anyway check it
out there are many, many different digital cameras to choose from. I am
surprised it only took me two months to decide on mine. When I bought the Ricoh
I spent a year researching cameras before I decided on that one.