I know this is not the brand everyone is going recommend to you because it is not a Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, who do all the advertising. But this is a great camera. Please consider this camera. It has the fastest focus (which is important for birds), and 24 zoom. You don’t have to fool with changing lenses. The Panasonic FZ200 is my 5th Panasonic camera. I will continue to buy them as long as they come out with a new super zoom camera. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz200 Amazon, B&H, online and sometimes Costco. Charlie Henderson KY On Apr 7, 2014, at 6:06 PM, Alice Beth & Lew <ablroyce@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Any basic camera suggestions. Less than $500. > > Any thoughts?? > > Alice Beth Royce > Blount County