We have a Panasonic Lumix, 12x zoom, 12 Mpx. We bought it at Costco for around $150. We love it! It even takes videos (check out this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjM77JNR-no). We have one thing we don't like about it, that we'd definately look for in the next one.....this one only allows us to look at the LCD screen. If the sun is out, it's hard to see what you're taking pictures of. My other camera cost more but I can look thru the viewfinder OR on the LCD screen.