I WAS using a Sony DSC-W5 until I dropped it today while being stung by a bee under my glove - The camera was on and fell onto its lens and now won't open, shut, or focus and of course is a loss. So I've ordered another Sony - this time a DSC-T10 - mostly because it has higher resolution, was affordable and has an anti-shake factor. My left hand shakes when I'm under stress and both hands sometimes do under stress and I'm frustrated with blurry pictures. Note to self: Keep camera on strap around neck, not wrist!
I am so NOT a photographer, and there are many better cameras on the market, but I like taking the pictures, learn a lot from what I see in the pictures, and am having a great time taking them. The key is not to try for a great shot, but just focus and take the picture. In the beehive, I don't take the time to plan the shots - often if you do, you miss the queen, or the small hive beetle, or the bee drinking water. So I point and shoot and hope for the best.
The real gift of today's digital is the computer itself. I'm the historian for the choir in which I sing, and by default have ended up taking lots of pictures. Many are poorly composed or some element is out of focus or something, but I cut and paste madly on the computer and end up with a good record, as I do with the bees!!!!
So get a camera you are comfortable with - best if it has ability to take good close-ups - and point and shoot to your heart's content!
Linda T