Need advice on choosing camera

[Village Idiot]

You can pick up a Canon 300D on ebay for $250-300 with the standard 18-55mm lens. The 300D isn't a high end DSLR, but for your budget and requirements it should work relatively well. It uses Compact Flash instead of SDHC, but you can get rather large CF cards. A lot of it's performance, like any SLR, is going to be based on the lens you have attached.

For that money, I'd look at something newer. I found a 30D in great conditions with an extra battery for $385 shipped. Bought it for a friend of mine.

Does the OP even need a DSLR? What about a Canon G9 or G11?

 

[LCARSx32]

I don't know. It's hard to find point and shoots that have decent low light performance. The tiny lenses make that difficult. They also tend to be slower saving to the memory card. However, I haven't looked at point and shoots since I left Circuit City in 2008.

 

[tt74rocky]

you could get a high-end P&S like this
Nikon - CoolPix P100 Digital Camera (Black) - 26212 - B&H Photo

I love you.

This looks perfect for what i'm looking for.

If you have any more info on a better/newer model please tell me, i want to buy in 1-2 weeks.

 

[rusty9]

i believe that is their better/newest PS