Digital cameras - USA TODAY article
 

As reported today in USA TODAY business section:

In 2003 digital camera sales rose 63% and the industry expects an encore this year.

About 30,000 people are expected at the Photo Marketing Association International (PMAI) convention, opening Thursday in Las Vegas - the major annual gathering for the industry. While Christmas is the biggest time of the year for camera manufacturers, the PMAI convention is when new digital models, which start shipping in March, are unveiled.

Some 59.3 million digital cameras will be sold this year, 31% of us now own a digital camera. So far, the new models are smaller, more fully featured and cheaper than last year.

THE LOW END: Not long ago, entry-level prices for a decent three-megapixel camera was $300 to $500. Kodak

So, which one are you gonna get?

The article was not comprehensive regarding individual cameras, mostly teasing in generalities. I'm sure I'll be crusing the camera store come March.

Though not the prettiest site, it is a great resource for info on digital cameras:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

This Nikon Coolpix 8700 for $999 retail, due out in March, would seem to be a strong contender.

Mike,

There's more to it than merely megapixels for the buck.

One thing to factor in is the dynamic range sometimes referred to as the d-max. The greater the number the more tonal range you get between white and black points.

The other consideration with a fixed (or any) zoom lens is the amount of distortion when you zoom in (pin cushion) or out (barrel distortion).

The above factors are critical for getting good portrait reference.

What's "pin cushion" distortion?

Pin cushion distortion compresses the perspective and flattens out the features. Sort of like what the face of a pug looks like.