lack of pictures

two days ago, collin broke our digital camera lens & now the camera doesn't work. i'm eyeing a few different ones, but haven't gotten a replacement yet.

i wanted to find something comparable or better than our Canon A520 that broke..not hard since they don't make it anymore. my criteria were: 1)our budget, 2)4x or higher on optical zoom. our canon had 4, and 3) no less than 4 megapixels, since that's what the broken one has, and 4)favorable reviews.

these have made my list of possibilities(in no particular order):

1. Panasonic FS5

2. Nikon S550 Coolpix

3. Kodak Easyshare Z8612

kind of leaning toward the kodak(but not decided yet), since it comes with a lens cap. it also seems like all that optical zoom would be great for the next time ivy's in a ballet class or performance or something. the nikon seems like a good deal. it ends up being $1 less than the kodak w/accessories(battery charger, case).. the only thing i don't like about the nikon is the lens looks pretty much the same as what the canon's style of lens was. don't want a repeat accident.