Need help with which camera is best for me...

[j3nnylu]

I do a lot with flyers, brochures, newsletters, etc... for businesses, and I would like to take it a step further and be able to take more professional looking pictures. I would also like to start offering photography services for parties, weddings, family portraits, etc. So I would like to purchase a camera that will be able to handle all of these. Also, Ive been reading about ISO, but if someone could explain the differences in megapixels, and how high of a number I need to cover all these areas, that would be great.
I would like to spend no more than $300 on a camera, so please let me know any suggestions you have... Thanks!

[inkista]

You do know you're dreaming of the impossible, right?

If you want to offer professional photography for weddings, portraits, and parties, you're probably going to want a digital SLR camera, not a point and shoot, just for the low-light ability of the equipment. And realistically, most pros who do some form of event shooting have at least two camera bodies--one for backup. Because you can't afford to have an equipment failure in the middle of a wedding. It's not like they're gonna wait for you to run out and get a replacmenet.

And while you can certainly get a dSLR body for $300, you're probably going to need to spend two to three times that on lenses and lights and other ancillary equipment to compete with other professional photographers, particularly if you're thinking of delivering a more traditional studio look.

It's not about the megapixels, as much as it's about the control and response speed of your tools.

[A@EPOCH]

Completely agree with Inkista, if I do weddings I commisioned by the studio I use a Canon40D and 50D with 24-70mm and 70-200mm. Price totaling around three grand if you can find them dirt cheap. Even when Im using my own equiptment I have a 50D and XSI which bodies alone run about eighteen hundred.

[coltter]

IMO you should double your budget at least for a begining DSLR.