the usual noob

[robinq]

Today (!!!) i decided to buy a digital camera.

I've never possessed a digital camera and i'm a total noob in this "world".
However i'd like to buy a good camera, wich allow me to use manual settings too (very important thing to me; i want to have some control over my "shooting" activity, even if it's a bit hard to learn/master).

There are 4 models wich i'm intrested in:
Canon SD630
Casio Ex-Z850
Fujifilm finepix f30
Sony T9
(All worth about 350$)

Casio seems to offer good manual control, and overall good quality, but has some drawbacks, first of all you can't transfer photo directly on the computer from the camera (is it true?).

Canon SD630 appears to be a very good camera, but has a low batterly life (160 photos per session vs. above 300 for the others), and lacks of manual control.

Sony ... do this camera actually possesses some "faults"? plese tell me.

Fuji f30. Personally this is the camera that impress me the most. I like its capability of taking shots even in low light conditions....but, How it works in outdoors/full light conditions?
Is it compatible with usb 2.0 (or only 1.0)?
xD memory cards oops (high prices, low capacity, low performances)?

Finally: wich is the best to buy?

Thanks to all for the answers.

P.S.
Sorry for my bad english. I'm used in reading but not in speeching.

[mtclimber]

The Fuji F-30 would be my choice.

MT

[meanstreak]

robinq wrote:

Today (!!!) i decided to buy a digital camera.

I've never possessed a digital camera and i'm a total noob in this "world".
However i'd like to buy a good camera, wich allow me to use manual settings too (very important thing to me; i want to have some control over my "shooting" activity, even if it's a bit hard to learn/master).

There are 4 models wich i'm intrested in:
Canon SD630
Casio Ex-Z850
Fujifilm finepix f30
Sony T9
(All worth about 350$)

Casio seems to offer good manual control, and overall good quality, but has some drawbacks, first of all you can't transfer photo directly on the computer from the camera (is it true?).

Canon SD630 appears to be a very good camera, but has a low batterly life (160 photos per session vs. above 300 for the others), and lacks of manual control.

Sony ... do this camera actually possesses some "faults"? plese tell me.

Fuji f30. Personally this is the camera that impress me the most. I like its capability of taking shots even in low light conditions....but, How it works in outdoors/full light conditions?
Is it compatible with usb 2.0 (or only 1.0)?
xD memory cards oops (high prices, low capacity, low performances)?

Finally: wich is the best to buy?

Thanks to all for the answers.

P.S.
Sorry for my bad english. I'm used in reading but not in speeching.

I've been looking at compacts for a long time and almost boughtthe Casio Ex-Z850back in March/April. Decided I wanted bigger, but not a DSLR, so I ended up buying a Panasonic Ultrazoom FZ30.... hated it... sent it back because it was horrible in low light. Ended up with a DSLR, which I love but still needed a compact pocket for my wife and for when the big bulky DSLR is not convenient. After much research and deliberation, I recently ordered andjust received a Fuji F30 and it is one heck of a compact camera. This camera takes some great photgraphs, but where it stands out is low light. I almost can't believe the pictures this thing takes. I couldn't be happier with my choices.

[robinq]

tnx mtclimber
tnx meanstreak

[zygh]

There is no compact P&S on the market today that can compete with the F30. Get that and be happy with it.
Cheers!

[Pickwick]

It's not on your list, but I found the Canon A620 to be a great buy.