I,m using the Samsung DigimaxV4 as reviewed by PCA,excellent camera with lots of choice on battery options as it only requires 2 x AA batteries.I use Nimh 2100 rechargeables - worth bearing in mind as lithium camera batteries can cost £10 a pack.
click here and for reviews click here and particularly click here

Re the NiMH batteries - CPC of Preston, part of the Farnall Group, click here a firm I have used for around 30 years, sells a quick charger AA/AAA/PP3 battery charger for £11.75 including VAT.

It charges NiCad batteries in an hour or less and NiMH in around two hours depending on MH capacity - once charged the batteries go into a trickle state.

Apart from the fact it's well made and about half the usual price or less than similar models, it comes with both mains and car DC transformers.

Your observations are correct, but I find with my "small, light, modern" Minolta Dimage E203 that it feels just too small and light at times after being used to a Nikon F401 with a Tamron 28-200mm zoom; even my other camera, an Ashai Pentax Spotmatic, whilst light and compact, feels so much easier to use and operate.....:-)

The problem is that the "real" digital cameras - those built on more traditional lines such as an SLR - cost an awful lot of money initially; I accept, however, that running costs don't include the cost of films.

Even so, even the very best digital camera technology still has some way to go to catch up with 35mm detail and resolution, although it's getting mighty close if you can afford such cameras.