I am looking for a digital camera to take with me to Iraq, and was wondering if the Fuji F20 would be good and if not what would be?

It's OK, but it uses Xd memory. The SD cards are widespread, they are fast, and also the most economical. Plus, WHEN you upgrade (2 or 3 years from now?) you can use the SD cards on the next camera.

If you find another camera similar to the F20, but it uses SD cards, I would go with the SD model. For starters, the Canons, the Nikons, the Pentaxes and the Panasonics all use SD cards.

I am showing my ignorance here, but I've seen this question before and I always wonder if there are ANY camera supplies available in Iraq for people who are bringing digitals over there. In other words, they may not be able to find the xD card over there, but will they be able to find the SD either?

Sean, can you give us some details about what is required? Meaning, do you want something (as Richio suggested) that has widely available accessories; or do you want something super-durable; or do you want something with fast action, etc? What exactly is required of a camera that is going to Iraq? That has been haunting me, and also it will help us answer your question. =)

Hi Brenda,

I assumed that Sean would 'gear up' in the states, and (if Sean is in the military) the Iraq PX should be chock full of cameras and accessories. At any rate, these memory cards are getting big. With capacities of 500 photos or more, it seems that most amateurs would need just one decent-sized memory card anyway.

Sean, if will have access to a PC, naturally you could transfer photos from the camera to the PC when the memory card starts to get full, then erase the card and start over.

If you happen to be in the military, and you want something pretty beefy, look at the Olympus Stylus 725SW. It is BOTH shockproof and waterproof. It's meant to be the kind of camera you can stick in your back pocket, and sit on, without worrying about cracking the LCD. Check it out at http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/OS725SW/OS725SWA.HTM
Unfortunately, Olympus cameras also use Xd cards. But, with the above camera, it seems to be a nice trade-off of utility, even with the Xd card format.

Richio and Brenda, I am in the Marines and I don't know what I should get, Hence the question. I think Image Stabilization would be nice. Do you agree? Other then that would do you recommend. I would like to stay under $250.