My teeth are slowly working their way toward the bullet. Not quite a bite yet, more of a gum. I'm gumming the bullet...

I've decided that for probably 80% of the photos I want to take, a digital camera would be perfect. What's more, the quality will not need to be fantastic, just good.

What I want out of a digital camera:

• Small
• Cheap (sub AUS$200, excluding memory card)
• 3 megapixels or more
• Good quality lens
• No software required
• At least a 3x zoom
• A view finder
• Support for close up photographs (within a few cms)

What I'd like but know I'm not going to get so will still use my analog:

• Instant shot
• Long exposures
• Low light shots without too much grain or movement
• 10x zoom
• Delayed shot (so I can be in the photo!)

I'd like the digital for the kinds of shots I'd take hundreds of. Time lapse shots of buildings being built. Panoramas. Ten thousand photos of my dog. Photos of items for sale on eBay or for insurance or for fun.

I'd like it small so I can keep it with me all the time. My current camera is just a bit too big for that.

Much like the MP3 player. The longer I wait, the cheaper they get.

Update: This one looks like it might be good: Canon PSA430 DiG!C II, 4.0mp