Here are some helpful things to look for when buying a digital camera. This guide will serve as a short glossary of terminology used when a seller describes a digital camera.

Batteries - A number of cameras take just regular AAs. The problem is that regular old Alkalines don't last too long in digital cameras. Lithium batteries last longer, but are expensive. Rechargeables are the best bet. If you camera takes two batteries, get a four pack of rechargeables and keep two in the camera and two charged.

CD-R / CD-RW - this refers to blank CDs that you can buy to store pictures on. It is rather easy to do this at home. I use Macs, and with Apple iPhoto, acouple clicks of the mouse, insert a CD, bada bing, it's done. You can make CDs for family and friends!

Digital Zoom - This really does not mean much at all. Digital Zoom is the camera cutting out part of the picture. The zoom that you need to look for is "optical zoom".

Dock - Some camera companies offer an accessory called a dock. With this device, you set your camera on it, and the batteries will be charged (granted you have rechargeables in the camera). It is also an easier way to hook to your computer, if you USB ports are in the back of your computer, or if you are not tech savy.

JPG - this is the most common type of file associated with digital pictures.

LCD screen - the "video" screen on the back of the camera. This takes up lots of battery power. A number of cameras will let you turn off the screen to save power.

Megapixel - This term refers to the resolution at which a camera takes a picture. Digital cameras are classified by "megapixels". In general the higher the megapixel, the better. The prefix "mega" means million. Pixel is basically a dot on a computer screen. So a five megapixel camera shooting at it's highest resolution, that picture is comprised of five million dots. A five megapixel camera can shoot at resolutions of 1,2,3,4,5 megapixels.

Memory Card - This is the "film" of the digital camera. In the box, there is usually a small card that will get you 10 or so pictures. A decent sized card will run you $25-35 dollars. Higher megapixel cameras also take up more space on a memory card. The most common types of memory cards these days are SD, XD, and Memory Stick. The type of memory card you need depends on what kind of camera you have. Kodaks and Nikons and Canons nowadays (past two-three years) take SD, Olympus and Fuji take XD and Sony takes memory sticks.

Optical Zoom - This is represented by a "number X zoom". Most common nowadays is three x optical zoom. That translates roughly to 100mm zoom on a regular camera.

USB cable - cameras come with a cable to hook up to your computer. USB ports are fairly common.