BizRate.com, a research firm that tracks online purchases, reports that in the past couple of weeks six of the top 10 online product searches have been for digital cameras, suggesting how high up on shopping lists these sources of instant gratification are. In fact, say many surveys, digital cameras are second only to DVD players as the holiday gift of the year. The Canon PowerShot A20 Jeff Keller, a 25-year-old self-described "computer/gadget geek," runs the DCResource Web site, which features commonsense advice for those entering the world of digital cameras, including reviews of all the latest models, plus input from enthusiasts who post their own comments. Keller recommends spending as much for a digital camera as you can afford. The price makes a real difference, he says. But, he's also realistic and says most people don’t need an expensive camera. Here are Keller’s personal recommendations in different price categories. Keep in mind that in order to create successful 4x6-inch prints, Keller says, any of the cameras listed here will suffice; for 5x7 prints, you need 1 megapixel to 2 megapixels, or a minimum resolution of 1024x768, as it's often expressed; and for 8x10s, you need 2 megapixels to 3 megapixels, or 1600x1200. Also, optical zoom uses a real lens and is superior to digital zoom, which enlarges pictures by manipulating the pre-existing pixels. All of the cameras listed below are both Mac- and PC-compatible. Also, be aware that there are very few places discounting digital cameras this season (basically, they don't have to—people want them even at full price). To get some of the lower "street" prices listed, shoppers will probably have to shop online. Cameras for $300 or less: Canon PowerShot A10: 1.3 megapixel (1280x960), 3X optical zoom, auto focus, no movie mode, list price $499, street price $230 to $299. Fuji FinePix 2600 Zoom: 2.0 megapixel (1600x1200), 3X optical zoom, auto focus also manual controls, has movie mode, list price $299, street price around $250. Olympus Brio D-150 Zoom: 1.3 megapixel (1280x960), 3X optical zoom, auto focus, no movie mode, list price $449, street price around $300. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P30: 1.3 megapixel (1280x960), 3X optical zoom, auto focus but with more manual controls than others, has movie mode, list price $299.95, street price $275 to $299. Toshiba PDR-M25: 2.1 megapixel (1792x1200), 3X optical zoom, auto focus, no movie mode, list price $279, street price $245 to $299. Cameras between $300 and $500: Canon PowerShot S300 Digital ELPH: 2 megapixel (1600x1200), 3X optical zoom, auto focus, has movie mode, ultracompact metal body, list price $599, street price $425 to $500. Fuji FinePix 2800 Z: 2 megapixel (1600x1200), 6X optical zoom, auto focus, has movie mode, the first low-cost camera to beat the 3X optical zoom barrier, list price $449, street price $325 to $399. Kodak EasyShare DX3900: 3 megapixel (2160x1440), 2X optical zoom, auto focus but shutter speed can be manually controlled, no movie mode, optional dock for photo transfer and battery recharging, list price $449, street price $350 to $399. Olympus Camedia C-700 Ultra Zoom: 2 megapixel (1600x1200), 10X optical zoom, auto focus, has movie mode, list price $699.95, street price $475 to $600. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P50: 2 megapixel (1600x1200), 3X optical zoom, auto focus with some manual controls, has movie mode, list price $399.95, street price $350 to $399. Toshiba PDR-M71: 3.2 megapixel (2048x1536), 2.8X optical zoom, auto focus with many manual controls, has movie mode, list price $499, street price $430 and $499. Cameras for between $500 and $1,000: The Canon PowerShot G2 Canon PowerShot G2: 4 megapixel (2272x1704), 3X optical zoom, auto focus with full manual controls including flash strength, has movie mode, superb photo quality, list price $999, street price $730 to $800. Canon PowerShot S40: same insides as the G2 in a small aluminum body, list price $799, street price $650 to $799. Canon PowerShot S30: 3.2 megapixel (2048x1536), 3X optical zoom, auto focus, has movie mode, small aluminum body, list price $599, street price $490 to $599. The Fugi FinePix 6900 Fuji FinePix 6900 Zoom: 3.3 megapixels (2832x2128), 6X optical zoom, auto focus with full manual controls, has movie mode, list price $999, street price $650 to $800. Kyocera Finecam S3: 3 megapixel (2048x1536), 2X optical zoom, auto focus with manual controls, has movie mode, micro size, stainless steel body, list price $750, street price $550 to $599. Nikon Coolpix 885: 3 megapixel (2048x1536), 3X optical zoom, auto focus with manual controls, has movie mode, list price $599, street price $470 to $599. Olympus Camedia D-40 Zoom: 4 megapixel (2272x1704), 2.8X optical zoom, auto focus with some manual controls, has movie mode, pocket size, list price $799, street price $625 to $800. Pentax Optio 330: 3 megapixel (2048x1536), 3X optical zoom, auto focus with some manual controls, has movie mode, probably the best micro camera available now, stainless steel body, list price $699, street price $699. Pentax Optio 430: 4 megapixel (2240x1680), 3X optical zoom, auto focus with some manual controls, has movie mode, micro camera, stainless steel body, list price $799, street price $550 to $800. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F707: 5 megapixel (2560x1920), 5X optical zoom, auto focus with some manual controls, has movie mode, has NightShot and NightFraming for no- or low-light shooting, the best digital camera available for under $1,000 right now, list price $999.95, street price $875 to $999. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P5: 3.2 megapixel (2048x1536), 3X optical zoom, auto focus with some manual controls, has movie mode, largish micro camera, metal body, list price $599.95, street price $540 to $599.