Hi Hunter - I agree with Duncan - it will be you - not the camera that matters. As for the Vivitar it seems to me that it has a big draw back - it is very heavy on batteries. In the same price range are the Canon IXUS 70, the Fujifilm FinePix Z10fd; Sony Cybershot DSC-W130 and Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ2EB-K. I suggest you do a google search and compare users reviews - Here is a link to a site that compares these and others that are similar : LINK
http://www.ciao.co.uk/product_compar...mpare=Compare+
Of them all - the Panasonic has a 10x optical zoom and I would suggest may give you greater versatility - HOWEVER - Don't rush - go to somewhere like Jessops here in UK - that is a shop that stocks many different models and will let you handle them first - try the test shots - see which you like best - which is more comfortable for you. Then choose, buy and enjoy learning. YOU are the photographer - NOT the camera. Hope this helps.