Simple topic: digital cameras. Do you have one? Do you like it? What do you like best about it?

Basically, I'm getting a digital camera for my birthday and am trying to decide which one to tell my mommy to get me.

Priorities:
1) Decent optical zoom
2) Fast shutter
3) Small
4) Less than $500

Go!

ETA: Now I'm thinking between the Canon PowerShot SD850 IS, the Canon PowerShot SD870 IS, and the Canon Powershot SD1100. SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT I WANT!