All you experts out there, please list your most important requirements for a digital camera to have. I'm in the market, but not sure what to look for. If it's a technical thing, pls explain what it does or why it's important. Thanks!

 

If you want to be able to print decent quality photos, go for a minimum of 3 megapixels. Essentially, its how many pixels the camera reads. For prints, more pixels is important for the same reason more pixels make a tv or computer monitor look better. If you just want to put pics on the web and email them to friends, etc, 2 megapixels should do it for you.

 

At least 5xZoom, a Window (sometimes in dark places when you need to take a pic your LCD screen may not show your subject, with a window, you can center the subject ie SONY DCS70), Night Vision, Multi-Snap (with the Sony, it takes forever to take the next pic, not good if you want to take multiples fast), Shake Protection, and Weight.

 

Lots of point and shoot digitals out there, and munkee is right, if you just want to email pictures a low-end camera is fine.

If you want to learn (or already enjoy) photography, be sure to get a camera that has manual, program, shutter, and aperture modes. This will give you more creative control over your images, think of it as different tools for different jobs.

If you want to print your photos, most digital camera will do OK for 4 x 6 prints. If you want a 5 x 7 or a 8 x 10, then 4+ megapixels is a must (otherwise you images will look pixelated).
BTW, more stores are offering the Fuji Frontier system that will print your photos (chemical emulsion NOT inkjet) for about $.20 for a 4x6. Sam's Club is what I use and you can download (or have made) custom color profiles for THAT printer from http://www.drycreekphoto.com/

Money, how much do you want to spend? That, like most things makes a difference. Plan on about $650 and do yourself a favor by not buying junk (although there is junk out there for $650). Do your homework and ask yourself why you want need a digital camera.

Resources:

Reviews and forums o'plenty: http://www.dpreview.com/
Here is a list of the most popular: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/stats.asp

Photo galleries: http://www2.photosig.com/photos.php
do a search for the type of camera (left side frame) your looking for to see what kind of images the camera is capable of. Be aware that Photoshop plays a huge role in digital photos.

Here is another: http://www.pbase.com

Finally, here is a sample of my work with a Nikon D100 (asst. lenses) in Tokyo last weekend. I have no clue what the festival was, but hundreds of kids were dressed in traditional costumes. Great photo op.! http://www.pbase.com/wedge/narita_carnival

Oh and some airplanes: http://www.pbase.com/wedge/airplanes

 

A couple more things to keep in mind;

Ignore "digital zooms". Concentrate on cameras with a good optical zoom. Digital zooms just enlarge the pixels.

Get a camera with good glass. Sony makes a few excellent models for a reasonable price with lenses by Carl Zeiss. No matter how many pixels the ccd has, the image needs to go through the glass to get there.

 

Yea, don't forget about a good lense.

Also, short video on your digital camera would be nice and handy.

 

Thanks to all of you for your comments and resources.
One thing you answered, Bieg, was digital vs. optical zoom. Wondered what they were talking about.
Thanks again.

 

if you want EXTRA LARGE HI-RES pics of electronics, check out crutchfield.com