1) Dont buy anything that has more than 5 m-pixel coz u will never use it (unless u are planning to print out life-size posters) 2) Dont buy something that has less than 5 optical zoom (digital zoom doesnt count/ its not of use) 3) Then look for memory. the more the better. 150+ will be ideal. 300 + is even better coz u can take longer moving pics as well. Of course there are other things like battery life and screen size. Screen size is the least important to me coz you will ultimately view the pics in computer. Compact size will cost you more but is worth it. good cluck