What are the main things to look for when shopping for a digital camera?

I'm looking to buy a few digital cameras, around 4-5. I want to know which digital cameras are good and what are the main things I should be looking for while shopping for a digital camera.|||Well, really you need to know about





- the range of pixels


- brand of lens


- quality


- reliablity


- portability





Hope Sony cameras are doin good:)|||LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU FIND OUT, I AM LOOKING FOR ONE TOO


|||At least a 3x optical zoom


Uses SD memory cards


At least a 6 mp sensor


Easy to navigate through the menu


Uses Li-ion battery (for better charge cycles and longer life)





With those as the basics, then look for a camera with most of the features you want on it, like face recognition, SI, etc.





http://www.dpreview.com|||You have to decide between tiny and regular size, how much zoom, (3X,4X or 5X optical zoom) or super zoom. Fully automatic? 6 to to 8 megapixels is sufficient for almost all point and shooters. Maybe a camera with an image stabilizer for shaky hands. Just some things to consider.|||If you are really on a very tight budget, check out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K which is reviewed at:





http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_revi鈥?/a>





It's an all-in-one 7.2 megapixel DSLR camera which includes (i) built-in image stabilization; (ii) HDTV quality video [Quicktime] (iii) a 12x zoom [36 - 432mm (35mm equiv.)] "Leica" lense for nature photography; (iv) up to 1.9 inch macro option; (v) up to 3200 ASA; (vi) takes up to 380 pictures per 120 min. battery charge and sells new for $270 at amazon.com.





Good luck!