Need camera advice please...

[bradleyheathhays]

I'm giving my Mom an introduction to photography class for Christmas and I need to find her a good digital camera that'll have all the options and dials this course will most likely be introducing to her. For the camera itself I can spend in the neighborhood of $300. With this amount in mind where should I look for this camera, and what models should I be looking for? If I can get something new that would do the job that would be extra nice, but if a used camera on ebay is where I need to go then I suppose that would be ok too. Anyone have any specific models to suggest?

Thanks everybody. I'm all ears.

[Jonbar18]

You're not going to find a new DSLR for $300. You can try a used one on Ebay. I suggest the D70 or D80 (sorry, Nikon bias) which has dual control wheels and an internal AF motor.
If you want a new camera, you can try a G11/12 or whatever the Nikon equivalent is. Its a P&S, but can shoot in manual, has most of the functions as dials and not menu options, shoots RAW, has a hotshoe for flash, and a whole lot more, for about $400

[Murray Warner]

Hi
You may get a used canon xs rebel for the 300.00. I just checked out new XS and they are pricey

[SwissJon]

Personally I like the Canon S95, or the Samsung EX1 or the Nikon Coolpix P7000. All shoot raw, have reputations for being nice compact cameras, and should leave your mum with the ability to work in A, S or M mode. I like the EX1, it's got a max apeture of F/1.8.

From what I can see, all of these are selling for less than $300