After seeing some of the shots you guys are taking, I realized my Kyocera 400SLR isn't cutting it. I was browsing digital camera reviews and the Canon A95 seems to be highly recommended on a couple of them. If you guys don't hold this DC in high regard, maybe recommend another too me.

I'm looking for something that takes clean, clear pics and is easy to use. It must be easy to use and smarter than I am because I take horrible pictures on my own. Price should be around or under $500. Prefer a longer life battery. Any recommendations?

I've got an older, less powerful, PowerShot A70, and it is great. This series has some good manual features if you're into that, or it has good point and shoot modes, and the very simple 'auto' mode, where you just hit the button and it takes the shot. I would definitly reccomend it, however the one thing I dont know is how it compares to the other Canon 5MP cameras in price and quality, althought I believe it's going to be cheaper than some of the other 5mp Canons. There is a link to my photography if you click on my name and go to my webpage, so that'll give you an idea of what the A70 will do, and of course the A95 will do better and more. Hope that helps a little. :)

Hopefully someone with experience with other 5mp Canon's will reply.

Those are some clean pictures J. I like the ones in St. Louis and the ones with the ice. :thumbup: .

My Kyocera takes decent pics but it's not very consistant and seems very finicky about lighting and such. Thanks for your input BTW.

Don't know if the A95 is like earlier 'A' models which I believe use recharagable double A size NiMH batteries. If it does, I'd look for something with lithiium battery instead because it's so much better and doesn't drain when not in use.

Tons of great cameras out there. I like all Canons. How is the A95 better/different than say an S70 or maybe an S410 or SD300?

a friend of mine got one those those. its a great camera. why not get a canon g6? my gf paid about $520 for it.

Actually Bit, after owning a camera with a lithium battery, I'd prefer the ones that take AA. If I'm out for an extended time and the AA die, I can just go in a convenience store and buy new ones. If the Lithium dies, I'm SOL. No more pics for me.

Anyway, after reviewing several cameras, mostly Canons, I decided to go with the A95. Let me just say WOW. This camera is light years beyond my Kodak and Kyocera. This pic was taken in almost no light and came out perfect. Meet Eduardo, my bearded dragon.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/judoguy/Picture005.jpg

I have the A95, all I can say it has a ton of features....Yeah it uses AA just get you a pack of DuraCell and you are set... for 4+hours of use...

Actually Bit, after owning a camera with a lithium battery, I'd prefer the ones that take AA. If I'm out for an extended time and the AA die, I can just go in a convenience store and buy new ones. If the Lithium dies, I'm SOL. No more pics for me. [/IMG]

Congrats on the A95 - pic looks great. About a lithium dying, that's why I have 2. ;) The one in my 20D though is good for 500-700 shots I believe :eek2: (I've never drained it yet before I've decided to charge it after weeks of use!!!!).

Wow. Your lithiums last hella long.