[Margaret Pilkington]

I would also recommend the Panasonic Lumix brand......I have the Panasonic DMC FZ18........18 times optical zoom.....Only 8 megapixels though. I also have the Panasonic G1......this is not a compact camera......it is a 'bridge camera', something between a compact and a Digital SLR.......it has interchangeable lenses which use the micro four thirds system...but the good thing about both camera's is that they have Intelligent Auto......meaning that the camera chooses the best setting for the shots. Good while you are getting to grips with them.

Hope this helps.