This guide will be most helpful to those individuals who are thinking about buying their first digital camera or are in the process of buying one. There are a few things to look for when researching, and/or buying your first camera.

Before I begin, I want you to know that I don't intend to proclaim that I am a know all when it comes to digital cameras but I have the knowledge and background with them as I am a digital camera salesman and have been selling/researching cameras for over 5 years now.  I also own 5 point and shoot, and 2 digital SLR cameras.  Now on with the guide...

Things to look for in a new camera (not in order of importance):

1. Amount of megapixel
2. Optical/Digital zoom
3. Image stabilizer
4. LCD screen size
5. Lens quality
6. Brand name
7. Memory cards
8. Battery type

Amount of megapixel: One of the most confused aspects of digital cameras.  The amount of megapixels refers to the resolution offered by the camera.  It doesn't necessarily mean the higher the megapixel the better the picture will turn out.  Manufactures keep raising the the amount of megapixels because consumers (you) believe the higher the better, Not true.  Most people print 4x6" prints, a 4x6 print can be done and done to great quality and resolution with a 5 megapixel camera.  The only benefit that a consumer (you) receives by buying a camera with a high megapixel (7 and higher) allows more ability to crop a picture after it is taken, blow a picture up beyond an 8x10 inch print, the ability to keep the resolution if you decide to use digital zoom, and to apply additional effects with a photo editing program.  Don't let a salesperson push a camera on you saying the higher megapixel the better.  If you only plan to print 4x6 you are fine with a lower megapixel (the higher the megapixel usually entails a more expensive price tag)

Optical/ Digital zoom: Another area of misconception!  All digital cameras offer both types of zoom.  Optical and digital.  The one that you want to look for is the amount of optical zoom, the higher the optical the better!  The reason you don't really want digital zoom is because you actually loose picture quality.  Look at it this way - optical zoom offers a true image when zoomed in, whether the camera has a 3x (standard on most point and shoot cameras) or a 18x (currently the highest amount available) amount of optical zoom.  When using optical zoom, the lens is actually pulling the image closer to you.  Another good way to decide how much optical zoom you are going to need in a new camera, is to remind yourself that a 3x zoom will pull the image 3 times closer to you, and an 18x will pull the image 18 times closer.  On the other hand, using digital zoom, you loose image quality.  Rather than the lens pulling the image closer, the camera expands each pixel making the image look bigger.  If you are someone that wants to use digital zoom, plan on buying a camera with a higher megapixel in order to keep a decent looking picture. 

Image Stabilizer: A feature that will benefit any user, especially those who have experienced taking a blurry picture.  Image stabilizers counteract any shaking that occurs prior to the picture being taken.  Image stabilizers help greatly in low light conditions which are usually encountered when taking pictures indoors.  People also find stabilizers very helpful when zooming in great lengths (anything past a 4x).

LCD size: This is a personal opinion, but i believe the bigger the LCD the better, and a lot of people will agree with that.  The biggest LCD offered right now is a 3.5", while most cameras are built with a 2.5".  Having a bigger screen offers an easier time seeing what you are taking a picture of.  It is also easier to navigate menus and reviewing pictures after they are taken.  Keep in mind, you look at the LCD while taking the picture.

Lens quality: Not all cameras a built with a name brand lens.  It is something that you should ask about though because a higher quality lens ensures better picture quality.  There is a saying "A camera is only as good as its lens!"  I am a firm believer in this saying.  A high quality pure glass lens won't distort light, and it will keep the colors ture, ensuring that you are going to get a picture that resembles exactly what you see in the LCD.  Here is a list of camera brands that offer a name brand high quality pure glass lens:

• Canon - They temper their own lens, they do a great job.
• Nikon - They temper their own as well however, Nikon is know for their optics...if you buy a Nikon camera you are also getting a high quality pure glass Nikon lens. 
• Sony - Most sony's are housed with a Carl Zeiss, which is a high quality pure glass lens.  If are going to buy a Sony camera, ask if it has a Carl Zeiss lens, some of sony's entry level cameras Do Not include a Zeiss lens.
• Panasonic - Most Panasonic cameras are built with a Leica lens which is a high quality pure glass lens.  Again, if you are buying a Panasonic, ask whether or not it has a Leica lens, as their entry level camera Do Not include a Leica lens.
• Kodak - Kodak offers a Schneider lens, which is a high quality pure glass lens, in their higher quality compact cameras.  Their more entry level cameras are housed with their own tempered lens.
• All other brands: Usually temper their own lens, they do a decent job.

Brand name: Now that digital cameras are very popular, there are brands producing cameras that just make them to earn a profit.  It is a good idea to stick with a well established brand name when buying a digital camera.  This ensures overall quality and dependability.  I have my favorites but I'm not going to list them in any order.

1. Nikon - You are getting a high quality camera and a high quality lens.  A fantastic combination. 
2. Canon - Great overall cameras, known for their quick processors (fast operating - no lag time).
3. Fuji - Well established brand name, they offer unique features in all their cameras.
4. Sony - Great overall cameras, they usually have really good LCDs.  Often are on the more expensive side when compared to other brands with the same features.
5. Panasonic - Good overall cameras, well known for their stabilizers which are offered in all their cameras.
6. Olympus - Good overall cameras, well known for their weather resist bodies and their shock proof and water proof cameras.
7. Kodak - Ok overall cameras, known for their ease of use.  Great cameras for people that have never used a digital before. 
8. HP - Ok overall cameras, known for their ease of use.  Great cameras for people that have never use a digital before.

Memory cards: Most people don't think about the type of card they are buying or recieving with the camera.  Their are many different sizes (from 16MB the smallest, to 8GB the largest) and speeds (standard and high speed).  The most common size most people buy right now is a 1 GB card, which offers about 350 pictures on a 6 megapixel camera.  I tell people to buy the largest card they can, this ensures that they will be happy with the camera and they won't run out of space, especially during a vacation or prolong time away from a computer or printer.  As for speeds, a standard speed card will suit most camera users.  If you plan on taking multiple picture or using the cameras burst mode (continuous pictures taken until shutter button is released) you will want a high speed card, as it will be able to save the pictures as fast as the camera can take them.  If you were to use the burst mode with a standard speed card, you will experience some lag time as it takes longer to save each picture taken.

Battery type: There are two types of batteries.  The camera will either use a disposable alkaline (AA)battery or a rechargeable li-on (like that in a cell phone).  The big difference between the two life of the battery.  With AA's you will get between 15-35 min. of life (varies due to feature like LCD size).  You can purchase a rechargeable AA NiMH batter that will give a little more life than a standard AA.  Or you can spend a little more mone and purchase Li-on AA's, which hold the most power offering up to 2 hours of battery life.  Often are the battery used in cameras priced up to $175.  Some higher end cameras do use AA's as well.

The other type of battery, the rechargeable Li-on battery pack is your best bet.  They often provide up to 2 hours of battery life, and are rechargeable.  There are a some benefits to having a rechargeable battery pack: 1. Reusable 2. You ALWAYS get one battery and the charger with camera. 3. They last about 2 hours per charge. 4. They last about 2 years before depleting.  If you are looking for this type, expect to spend at least $175 as this is an option found in higher end models. 

Thank you for taking the time to read through this guide. I hope you found it helpful.  Again, the above information was entirely based on my knowledge and opinion.

If there is anything that I didn't cover that you wish to know more about, feel free to contact me and I will do my best to answer any questions or get back to you with my opinion.