DOA

Yep, Dead on Arrival! My camera!!!!! We got to the surprise party for my MIL yesterday and the darn thing wouldn't even turn on! So, yes, we fooled with the battery wondering if it had just lost its charge, but nada! Finally, after manhandling it and banging the back of it (ya know like you do when the remote is on the fritz), it finally came on. Battery was fully charged!!!!! It made me wonder what was wrong with it - I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I just throw it in my bag without the case most of the time and/or that LH takes pictures with it and occassionally has *gasp* drops it! He doesn't play with it really - he actually takes good pictures, but maybe the dropping part is not so good!

Well, this couldn't come at a worse time....well, there really isn't any good time to have a deadbeat camera, but now more than ever!! With a baby on the way tomorrow and the cruise coming up in 19 days, I am just beyond sad!

Now, most of you would just go buy another camera, but I can't just run out and pick just any ol' thing off the shelves. Have you forgotten, I'm the planner who plans to plan, therefore, there should be much research and contemplation into such a grand purchase! A camera to me is like another limb. It goes with me everywhere and I feel lost without it! Not only do I want to make sure I'm getting a great product, but the fact that its not a cheap purchase! I want to make sure I'm getting the best deal possible for the product that we (I) want!

I am just interested in a point and shoot - I already have a very nice 35mm Nikon but its just too big to lug around all the time. SO, if you have any suggestions, please let me know. My last one was a Sony Cyber Shot!