Canon SD400
Here is an unpaid product placement for the holiday season. I just figured that since I had so much difficulty deciding on a new camera, maybe I could help someone else who is also having trouble. 
I am the proud new owner of a Canon SD400 digital camera. I love it. LOVE it. It is a 5 megapixel camera, and while I had considered the SD550 (its big brother with 7.1 megapixels), during our store trials this one stood on top with its ease of use and small size. It also helped to have two sets of friends who had the camera and loved it.
I figured that even if I buy a digital SLR or big fancy camera in a few years, I still won’t be “replacing” this one. This one will continue to be a complement, as I can carry it everywhere and take nice pictures (although anyone that likes manual controls will need to stay far away from this one…this is an automatic picture taker’s dream). Of course, in a few years we will probably have 20 megapixel - 12 optical zoom cameras in the end of a pen, but hey, I needed to make a decision now. This whole shopping with a gazillion options thing is the pits.
Since my lovely little SD400 purchase a few days ago I have been snapping shots like mad. So far the pictures have been crisp, clear and nicely colored. It was expressed that I should get a camera bag, but I am waiting for the right one (and I may try to sew up a sleeve for my purse or pocket ala an ipod sock). Until then, this puppy will inhabit an ankle sized SmartWool sock inside my pint-sized purse. Yes, you read that right. An ankle sock. Did I mention that I love this camera?
To sum up, the Canon SD400 is highly recommended for the camera-needing person on your list.
December 22nd, 2005 04:04
Does the camera smell? I mean,
These two are pretty obvious:
1. sock goes with foot
2. camera goes with face
So you have made this combination:
3. camera goes with sock
Does that imply:
4. foot goes with face ???
December 22nd, 2005 09:21
I think it’s a great idea. Well, provided the sock belongs to someone with nice feet (and no traces of warts).
December 22nd, 2005 13:03
The sock is CLEAN. CLEAN, people! Hey, enginerd, I think your math is faulty. I’ll tell you what though, I’ve been using the screen exclusively to take pictures (so no face). When you half depress the button focusing boxes appear on the screen to help you see where the camera is focusing. The viewfinder doesn’t have this, so it is now dead to me.
Gia, no worries. It’s not Matt’s sock.
I did find a tiny little faux soft leather pocket zip (read: purse thing for one key and credit cards) yesterday that fits the camera snugly - like it was made for it - so it has now been transferred from my SmartWool.