I just bought a camera. I was looking to spend about $450 and when i went to the store i found a good deal on a open box that was also last years model. When the model came out last year it was about $1000 and the tag on the open box at the store was $575 and i got him to drop it to $500 flat because i was buying memory card and other camera stuff. The point of me saying this is to keep ur eyes out for open box deals (make sure it has warranty, just in case) i mean getting an 8 meg camera for $500 is a good deal in my book. My camera is a sony. some people hate sony and swear by canon it is ur choice but if u are only spending $400 u get more for ur dollar in sony then u would with canon. It is when u get into spending $1000+ that canons are better beacue u have so many things u can add on and upgrade.