Guide to finding the best point-and-shoot digital cameras

[mandy]

Here's a down-and-dirty laundry list of what you need to know when comparing cameras.

First off, know how many megapixels your prospective camera has, since this spec directly affects the size of photograph you'll be able to print and how much cropping you can expect to do. If you're a first-time buyer and are interested only in printing relatively small, 4-by-6 or 5-by-7 snapshots, I suggest a 6-megapixel, entry-level digital camera. Cameras ranging from 6 to 10 megapixels provide enough resolution for 8-by-10 and 11-by-14 prints.

For those who also view their camera as a fashion accessory and plan to tote it along everywhere, many models are extremely compact, some less than an inch thick. The Canon PowerShot SD550 Digital Elph, for example, slips easily into the pocket of your jeans but comes with a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Still, you'll definitely give up some features on tiny cameras like these, such as manual settings and articulating LCDs screens. Also keep in mind that the smaller the device, the smaller its buttons tend to be. Be sure to look over a camera's dials and buttons to see if they're too small, too big, or just right for your fingers.

Also take a look at the camera's zoom...

full article: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2012787,00.asp