I've begun my quest to find a digital camera for my RTW trip next year. I'm looking to stay around the $300 mark.

I really like the Canon PowerShot SD630 6-Megapixel Digital Elph Camera, however I read a user review that indicated you need to use Canon software to download pics. Was wondering if anyone can advise whether that is true or I'm misunderstanding something. If true, it'd disqualify the camera of course.

Thanks,
Dave

Not true. XP handles it.

not at all. just open my computer and drag-n-drop like anything else

check out the SD700:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Camera-St...7031-8790411?ie=UTF8

just a bit over $300 ($312) and inclues image stabilization...very very nice feature!

I too am looking for a new camera for my RTW that begins in January, I am leaning twords the Panasonic DMC-FX07 7.2MP - http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/fx50_07/specifications.html 3.6x Optical Zoom, And has Image Stabilization, I would not get a camera with out it.It is right around the $300usd mark.

I just wish camera makers would stop the trend tword proprietary batteries, and go back to good old AA's much easier to carry around, or find in a pinch.

Quite honestly- My new Sony Ericsson K-800 triband phone has the Cybershot technology. It does pictures and video. It does great day, sport, night, and other modes of pictures. To top it off... it is my is my phone that will work around the world! Most of the pictures you see on http://www.australiablog.com are taken with this phone. It is super easy to download onto the computer and the quality of photos is better than the real camera I bought just last year!

http://www.australiablog.com/history/archive/travel-tip...-have.html[/URL]some more info on the utilityt of a cell phone/camera combo.

I just spent a month in Bali and bought one of these to take with me for watershots of surfing:

http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/29_mju_725_SW.htm

Waterproof to 5m, so good if you dive, kayak or surf and shockproof if you're a bit clumsy.

The photos are amazing and I just plugged it into my Mac and downloaded the photos no problem at all!!!

Ummm, buy camera's from people who make the glass.

the cannon power shot 710 IS is better than anything else you'll find at that price. You can get it for just a hair over 300 on amazon. I have one, also and Nikkon and an olympus. Cannon is great.