Winner: Olympus E-410, $450

The compact E-410 is the ultimate training-wheeled digital SLR, with changeable lenses (sold separately) for more advanced users and a 2.5-inch live-preview LCD screen that allows newbies to check their works-in-progress. Shoots up to three frames a second.
To Buy: www.olympusamerica.com for locations.

Runner-Up: Kodak Easyshare Z812 IS, $280

With a powerful 12.1x optical zoom and 8.1 megapixels, this camera offers terrific image quality for its price. The 2.5-inch LCD screen displays instructions for its array of functions and 16 scene modes, including high-definition video. Two long-lasting (but not rechargeable) CRV3 batteries are included.
To Buy: www.kodak.com.