How to get a free digital camera

As some of you may know, I lost my camera on a recent trip to Borneo at the base of Mt. Kinabalu. I can't say I lament the loss of the camera itself so much (it was practical and useful, but the pictures were just okay) as I do the satisfaction of seeing a shot framed perfectly or being able to use the images to clarify my thoughts when I write on this blog.

Now I find myself in the market again, and basically open to anything. I'm not good at deciding weather I want a digital camcorder, an SLR (which I would have to learn how to use), or a tiny point and shoot that I can stick in my pocket (and don't have to worry about). When Ayu gave me the idea that I should research if there are ways to get a camera for free, and I started to do just that, I decided I would leave the choice up to fate. If I by some chance end up with a free camera-like gadget, I'll be happy. By free I don't mean it costs nothing, just that it doesn't cost money. Time I have plenty of, money not so much. Over the next few weeks I'll be trying as many ways out as I can find and hopefully be able to comment on them all. The only offers I'm leaving out are the ones that require you to solicit your friends.

Wish me luck...

*Update*

I've decided to use my hotmail account for all the e-mails I will be receiving for this project. I rarely use it anyway, and most of the sites require you to provide a (working) email address.

These are the websites that I have been looking at and a brief description of what to expect:

http://www.anovabooks.com/competition.asp (free entry for a chance to win a Nikkon D80 SLR. Competition closes 01 February 2009)

http://dpnow.com/5502.html (free entry for a chance to win an Olympus SP-565 UZ if you sign up for their e-newsletter during the month of January. Competition closes 31 January 2009)

http://www.z20fd.co.uk/ (if you play the game where the iguana catches the flies and you are in the top 10 you get entered to win a finepix Z20fd. I played for 7 minutes and was number 847)

http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=32643 (free entry for a chance to win a Sony Handycam Digital Camcorder and a what looks like a Garmin GPS if you sign up for their newsletter. Competition closes 08 February 2009)

http://www.gqmagazine.co.uk/competition/default.asp (free entry for a chance to win a Fujifilm Finepix S2000HD digital camera and man on a wire dvd. Competition closes 06 February 2009)

http://www.holymoly.com/page/RandomDetail/0,,12643~1513274,00.html?WT.mc_id=comp2 (This one is rather vague. You can win a flip video camera and goodie bag if you e-mail them the name of Seal's supermodel wife - Heidi Klum)

https://whatdigitalcamera.ipcmediasecure.com/secure/competitions/5593/win-a-nikon-d90-camera-kit-with-a-18-105mm-lens.html (free entry for a chance to win a Nikon D90 camera kit with a 18-105mm lens. Competition closes 08 March 2009)

https://www.iwantoneofthose.com/competition.do?competitionCode=zohan (free entry for a
chance to win a Sony Handycam and two DVD films. Competition closes 31 January 2009)

https://instyleuk.ipcmediasecure.com/competitions/show/id/5581 (free entry for a chance to win 1 of 10 Disgo video Pro camcorders. Competition closes 16 February 2009)

http://www.inkandmedialtd.co.uk/acatalog/newsletter-signup.html (free entry for a chance to win a Canon Powershot A470 7.1 Megapixel Digital Camera with 3.4 x optical zoom if you join their mailing list. Competition closes 31 January 2009)

I'll keep updating as I go...