Before we left for vacation I bought a Flip camera. It is a digital camcorder that is around $150. I wanted a camera I could take to the beach and not freak out about sand and saltwater. I love it. The quality of the image is good, and it is very easy to use. As far as the whole bury your kids in the sand thing -- how else was Kimberly and I going to have any peace and quiet, and have long walks on the beach? Sand is cheap, babysitters are not.