I'm looking to get a digital camera so I can post some pictures and maybe make some videos.  Is there something out there that is relatively easy to use and under $500 or is that asking too much?

Any suggestions would help - Thanks in advance.

My fiancee bought a fuji film s3000 or something, a year ago.  it takes wonderful pictures, and it was like 120 bucks, and it came with a 16mb card.  You can also get the XD cards, along with the camera on ebay, I think she might have spent a total of 150 bucks.  It's like a 5-6mp camera, 20x optical, 6x digital...  I don't know all the specs on it.  I just use it, and it takes pictures for what I need it for!  

fujifilm s5000,5200 or 5600.  

DO NOT BUY A PACKAGE!!!!

Buy a good set of 15 minute rechargeables and an extra set of 4 batts

buy a 1gig card.

THAT"S ALL YOU NEED!!

This will stand you less than $350

I have turned 7 people on to this camera (model #'s all represent basically the same camera, different yrs, a few diff things but nothing major) and they will all swear by it.  For some odd reason, it records video at a higher resolution than anything in it's price range.

This camera can even make a few ugly old mugs good looking,...really, it works wonders!

see for yourself

The Fuji S5XXX is a fine camera.  All of my photos are taken with an S5000.

That said, I'm quite intrigued by the Pentax Optio W10, 20, and 30.  All are waterproof to 10'.  

Here is another thread

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1170674925/13#13

I use a canon s3 and it works wonders.....even for the photographically challenged!

The above post mentions the Canon S3.  It is an awesome little camera, probably the best bang for the buck.  If you want to wait a little the S5 will be coming out.  Here is a couple of links for the specs and examples on both.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0705/07050703canons5is.asp#specs

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_s3is.asp

I would also recommend the ScanDisk Extreme III or IV media cards. They are built to handle high heat.  A couple of other things you might look at are an extra battery, a good case (Lowepro is my favorite) and an adapter for a lens filter to protect the lens.

i just bought my wife a samsung digital camera at wal-mart today for $99 for mother's day.  It has 6 megapixals, it's going to be a good camera.

Nikon Coolpix S9 is what I am packing. I love it for my fishing, it fits in my pocket, turns on and off in under 1 second, has auto focus, facial recognition. 6.1 megapixels, and basically everything that I could want in a camera for only 250