well for 250$, you're probably going to get something like a 3 megapixel or maybe even a 4 if you're lucky and shop around places like ebay etc. Cannon makes good camera's for the price AND their software is VERY user friendly (great for elder people). Sony will probably be out of the price range. The fuji e550 is a pretty good deal. but i dont think the software is as easy to use as the canon. I'd definetly stay away from sony simply because the memory cards are frikin rediculous, and the image mixer it comes with is retarded. I'll do some looking and post back some cameras in the 250$ range
