Hello Eric,
There are many digital cameras on the market, and a good place to start looking at models and makes, is for "Digital Cameras" on the Web. Just type it in, and you will find sites that show every make or model that is available, and people's  contributed thoughts about them. You can spend hours looking there.
    Let me tell you what I have found.
4 mega pixels is enough. Less , is not quite enough.
10 X OPTICAL zoom is wonderful!  Don't worry about Digital zoom. that can all be done on the  computer screen later if you want to make things bigger. Digital zooms take up too much battery.
With the 10 times optical, you can bring mountains up close and you can photograph people from a good way away and they not be too bothered about it.
    However, they are not much good for "candid" shots like the SLR cameras, as (unless they are in "sports" mode,) take too long to focus, and the person is doing something else by the time it clicks. If one wants action shots, you have to have your finger half-down on the button, ready to press just when you want it.
    YOU MUST KEEP THE CAMERA STILL!
I have seen plenty of pics taken on expensive models, and they are not good and sharp. People think that they just have to hold it in front of them to take a good pic. not realizing that there is always movement, if you haven't got your arms firmly fixed against you side!  If you can shoot a target from a gun, you'll be a good photographer.
    I always change to viewing mode to where you have to look through the little eye-hole. It shows just what it is you are taking, with no light coming in, or distractions , and you have to hold it firmly while you press the button.
The lovely thing is that you can take wonderful pics and then set them as screen savers on your computer, and you can enjoy them all the time!
Getting them printed on those machines in the shops is cheaper than doing it at home, I reckon.
I have an Olympus and find it wonderful. Its no use telling you its number, as they are changing all the time!
    Inveigle to store into giving you and extra battery, for you will need to carry a newly charged one with you at all times, for they have a habit of  running out just when you don't want them to.  Its a whole new, ball-game as you can take lots of pics without worrying about the expense, for you only print the good ones.
I have taken photos of church functions, and gatherings, and they have come out very good indeed, and people like them for being a good record of their time.
May the Lord give you wisdom, so that you will make a good buy, and enjoy !
In Christ,
Gloria McLeay