I have been using a Nikon Coolpix P80. This has been a good camera for me to learn on for digital, but I wanted something more advanced so I bought a Canon EOS Rebel X Si that I bought discounted when Circuit City went out of business. It came with a EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, and I purchased 70-300 mm lens for longer shots. Not ever having had a "fancy" film camera before I went to digital, I don't know how to properly use this camera to its best advantage, but have taken a "beginners" class and will take a more advanced class at some point. This is the camera I want to use on the Alaskian cruise.