I`m using an Olympus C-4040 (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2001_reviews/c4040.html) since 8 years, treated it badly, dropped it several times, never cleaned it or its housing - both of which can be obtained for less than US$ 500.00 here in Tokyo. Best of all, it takes brilliant pictures - even better than the SONY Cybershot that I have used for comparison. Do me a favour and don`t go for a disposable.