First you'll need to check what memory card it uses. Find the door to the memory slot. Stamped into the plastic should be the type of memory needed. SD (Secure Disk), xD (extreme Digital), CF(Compact Flash)..ect. If you do not find it there check you owners manual. If you still can not find it consult the camera associate at your nearest BestBuy Store. They can help and will have the memory card suited for you camera in store and that can be ordered on line.

Yes. All most all camcorders take digital photos. Some store the photos to the DV Tape/DvD/Hard Drive and some have a setting for photo only and send the photos to the removable media such as a SD (Secure Disk) card. Usually there is a “Photo” button on top of the camcorder (near the zoom control) that when pushed takes the photo and saves it to the selected media. The quality of a photo taken on a camcorder is not as good as one from a compact camera and far less than one taken on a Digital-SLR.

That is a sad thing to happen, especially before the Holidays. Let’s try a few things.
1st. If it has a removable lens, take the lens off and leaving it off switch the camera on.
After a few seconds turn the camera off and re move the batteries then switch it back on again and leave it on for about 30 seconds. This will hopefully purge the internal system memory of any left over error readings. Turn it off and reattach the lens and reinstall the batteries in that order. Now make sure the lens is very securely attached to the body and switch the camera on. If you still get an error message and you have another lens, try using it. If you still get and error message then there is internal damage that a repairman must look at. If you camera has a Fixed Lens(that means a lens that is permanently attached to the body) then remove the batteries and turn the camera on and leave it on for 30 seconds then turn it off and reinstall the batteries. If none of this helps than it must be sent in for repair. Hope one of these suggestions works for you and good luck.

That’s a good question with no easy answer. All brands have their loyal followers and all brands have different features that might better suit you shooting needs. If you looking for a Digital-SLR then Canon and Nikon are highly rated and generally considered as professionally preferred. If you are looking for a Compact Camera then all brands have similar features. Sony and Panasonic are some of the more durable. Lens quality is a strong factor to figure in also. Carl Zeiss (Sony) and Leica (Panasonic) are good choices.