It's a minor necessity. I have the cash in hand. And have researched the competition into the ground.

So the time has come. Today is the day I am going to at least *see* *feel* *discuss* the Canon A590 IS digital camera at the local Ritz camera store.

Yes, I said local. Yes I said digital camera.

My existing camera is a hand-me-down from shopper DH. So it's been in the family some 6+ years. (He has the next generation one).

I use it extensively for product photos (see left sidebar) and have s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d it to its limits. With glee.

Guess what?! My 11DS gets it as an incentive to go to overnight camp with 5th grade as soon as I get a new one. He is waiting ... tap tap tap ... waiting.

(He was reluctant to take this trip due to his normally introverted nature.)

Looked at Cnet, Consumer Reports, PriceGrabber, ad nauseum. Ugh. There are Sonys, Kodaks, Nikons, and enough to make your head spin. Not my idea of fun sorting this out. But holding the line on cost and particular features I wish, the Canon A590 keeps surfacing.

One call and the store said they have it. I didn't even know there WAS a Ritz camera store nearby. Was HOPING to do this locally, not over the net to BOOT!

WOOT!