[FurnaceFace]

1) How do you know which cameras take quick pictures? Is that related to shutter speed?

In my experience a lot of issues people have with taking pics is user error. Understand how the camera takes a pic: you press the button, it needs to focus on the subject and meter the light then figure out the right shutter speed. All of this you the photographer used to figure out but now the camera handles it. It's faster than you but it still takes some time.

The correct method is not to just tap the shutter but to depress the shutter about half way, which will allow the camera to go through the process above (the red light is for the auto focus) and then when ready squeeze the rest of the way to open the shutter. by following this method the camera will be "ready" to take that cute expression. Also by slowly depressing the button you'll help prevent camera shake which is frequently a cause of blurry pics.

2) I've read that getting a camera with a good lens is more important than megapixels. How do you know if a camera has a good lens or not?

Lots of camera now come with lenses made by a lens manufacturer (Zeiss for example) which doesn't necessarily mean it's good but it helps. Ensuring it's an all glass lens is the biggest concern however, for taking pics of your kids and printing them off on 4x6 prints or tossing on a website for grandma to see, I don't think any camera will steer you wrong.

biggest thing on Megapixels is having an 8mp camera does you nothing if all you do is print 4x6 prints. You'll have similar results with a 3mp camera. Focus on the other features like easy menus, fast start up time, the LCD, whether it gives you action modes, if it's good in low light for those birthday pics with the candles, that sort of thing.

3) How important is optical zoom? Is 3x or 4x enough, or should I be looking at at least 5 or 6?

Depends on what type of pics you take but assuming you're taking shots of your daughter and general family shots 3x would be fine. Remember if you can move to get closer to the subject do so ahead of using the zoom.

4) Which camera makes should I look at (Canon, Panasonic, Kodak?) and which ones should I steer clear of?

All manufacturers make a good camera and all make dogs so it should depend more on features you like.

5) Anyone have any suggestions for a camera they think would fit my needs at a cost of around $300-350 or less?

There are tons. Best go into a camera store you trust (or maybe someone here works at one?) and try out some models. I have in the past recommended visiting Saneal on 9th ave and talking to Steve. I've bought a few cameras from him and been in the store when someone comes in not really knowing what they want and he's given them good advice and good recommendations. He can come across a bit used car-like, but he's a good guy. I do recall him pointing someone at an Olympus because it has a feature to reset the camera back to default settings which is great in case you've played around with the settings or your daughter has mashed a bunch of buttons and you have no clue how to get out of a certain mode.

EDIT: both of the sites listed in the other posts are very good sites.