From the 'sound' of your query, it doesn't seem that you would want the cost or hassles of a DSLR.

I'd say go for a "point & shoot", there are so many and the results will definatly be "not blured & poorly focused".

My first digital was a Nikon 990 - very big & 'ate' batteries. I have found that the tiny point-&-shoots are great. I love my Konica-Minolta Xi, it is always in my pocket ----> "The camera you have WITH you, gets the shot!!"
This little camera has it's 3x zoom lens inside - the lens never sticks out in front.

Despite Minolta's withdrawal from the market, these are still fairly easy to find, say, on eBay, as are it's 'relatives' XG, XT, & X50, and all of these have a real viewfinder in addition to the screen on the back.

I have gotten very good 12 x 18 inch prints from this 3 Megapixil camera, yes, using Photoshop Elements and using Image>Resize to change the pixil count to 300.

Let's face it: very few folks get/make prints much larger than that, and if you do - remember, those big prints are not viewed from close-up: they are displayed on a wall or the like.

I also have a Panasonic FZ4 with the 12x zoom & "Anti-shake" & Leica lens, for special stuff, but my little camera never leaves my side.

You might also want to look at the Pentax Optio Wi, which is another 'internal lens' like the Minolta - no lens sticking out in front. The Wi also happens to be waterproof & has, I think, 8 megapixils. Nikon & Sony also make internal lens cameras.

Remember: The camera you have WITH you, gets the picture"

Not blurred and well focused means purchasing and USING a tripod. Most lacking image quality is based on user error, not camera error. I've just written a good article on how to set your new digital camera for the best results.

While agreeing with the previous two posts,I would like to add that your purpose poses a huge factor in a decision and that KonicaMinolta may come in as a bargain, but also out of business.
Point and shoot's are a fantastic multi purpose camera set-up and getting hooked up with a beginner guide is crucial. I can take any point and shoot camera and get RESULTS simply by understanding how these camera's work.
I shoot with Nikon 8800 and Canon 20D, both are extremely different, but the Nikon can be used as a bulky pocket camera.
My two "sense", if you're looking for basic, stick to basic. You'll find that the most basic camera's on the market today are very rich with features.
Best of luck.

You may also wish to visit www.nyip.com

With all due respect to Larry Berman's good advice - do read his article - you really don't need a tripod for most daily situations.

If you have the time, a tripod is wonderful, but otherwise, too much hassle and reduces spontenaity.

If you are really worried about camera shake, several brands are now offering anti-shake technology: the latest Minolta X1, and ALL new Panasonic cameras have active anti-shake.

In addition, some (?) Nikon cameras (S-4, at least) have a "best shot" feature whereby the camera shoots 10 exposures of your scene, and selects the sharpest.

A tripod is in most cases just something else to lug around, although the tiny 'Ultra-Pod' is always nice to have on hand, right in your hip pocket next to your spare battery.

Quote:
Not blurred and well focused means purchasing and USING a tripod. Most lacking image quality is based on user error, not camera error.

Probably the best, and most underrated piece of advice.