This is just a quick reference guide for people looking into getting a digital point and shoot / DSLR camera. I worked at Wolf Camera for about 8 months. I tested and learned every digital camera we had in the store and even tried out many we didn't have. Prior to that I was a regular shutter bug, using my Pentax film camera just about eveywhere I went. As a result I know a thing or two of what the average consumer should be looking for when purchasing a digital camera/ Digital SLR.

Digital point and shoot cameras

1)There is more to the quality of a print than just the megapixels.
  - Quality of the lens in the camera as well as the quality/size of the light sensor behind the lens are also important things to consider.
-  In many cases the quality of the light sensor is more important than the megapixels. Many off brand digital cameras will give you lots of megapixels in their cameras, but throw in a really cheap sensor which will result in a bad looking picture.
Suggestion when purchasing : if you stick with a name brand you generally will not have to worry about this. Nikon, Canon, Sony, Casio, Olympus, Pentax, and Kodak all use higher end light sensors/ lenses than you might see in "off brand" digitals that you may think are better deals.
2) More megapixels does not directly translate to a better quality image.
   - The camera has a set size light sensor. Pixels are also a set size. They take up so much space on the camera's light sensor. More mp results in more overlap and a loss in quality of the image.
    -different companies have different philosophies about what the ideal number of megapixels is before the quality of the picture starts to dip. Canon thinks it is 6mp (note how every new canon point and shoot isn't any higher than 6mp) Nikon holds it at 8mp.
3) The average consumer does not need a camera more than 5 megapixels in resolution.
 - 5mp from a point and shoot is a high enough resolution to print a quality 12 x16 print.
That average consumer will probably never go larger than an 8x10 or 8x12. 5mp gives you a high enough resolution to crop the image down a little bit and still lose nothing out of the picture quality.
4) Know what you are going to be using the camera for.
- New with a camera? Just taking family photos? Traveling? An accessory to your startling fashion sense? Depending on how you respond to any of these questions will effect what is the ideal camera for you.
- Don't get more than you need. If you're just going to be using the camera for family events and occassionally going out than you will not need an ultra compact camera, or a digital SLR. The medium sized cameras tend to give you the most bang for the average consumer's buck.
- If you plan on going out of the country with the camera getting one that runs on AA batteries is going to be your best option. Most cameras have their own kind of battery, one that if it breaks you have to spend $30+ to replace. And also if you're out of the country you might not be able to replace. In which case your digital camera just becomes an inert chunk of plastic and silicon. AA batteries are universal, and though they don't last as long as your "one camera only" batteries you can always get a set rechargeable AA's and carry multiple for when the camera uses up the power. And if something goes wrong with them you can replacements in just about any corner store for cheap.
- If you want a small stylish accessory understand that you are going to pay for it. Generally speaking you'll end up paying anywhere from $100-$200 more for the small equivalent of a medium sized camera. You pay that much extra and all you get is a smaller camera. Also some of these "medium" type cameras are still small enough to fit in your pocket.
5) Anti-shake feature is nice, but not necessary by any means.
    - There or only 2 situations where you really NEED and Anti-shake feature.
          1. in low light situations when the subject is outside the range of your flash.
                - average flash range on a digital point and shoot is about 10 ft.
          2. If you are moving around really quickly and don't have the time to stop for 2 seconds to take the                       picture.
                 - ex. your child is playing soccer and your running down field to get a quick picture of him.                                 Your hand is bouncing up and down and you need to get that quick picture of him when he's                          kicking that soccer ball. This is the type of situation where Anti-shake helps.

Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) Cameras/ Lenses

1) Megapixels on a DSLR are not the same as the megapixels on a digital point and shoot.
    - Most DSLR's have a light sensor about 2X the size of the light sensor on a digital point and shoot. This does translate to an image resolution significantly higher than the ones you'll find on a point and shoot.
2) Typical amateur photographer will probably be exceedingly happy with a 6mp DSLR.
     - Want to make a 20x30in print? Want to make a 24x36in print? You got it in this camera. Want to crop the picture down? You have it in this camera. Believe it or not at 6mp you have a resolution greater than 200 ISO 35mm film.
3) The lens is more important than on a digital point and shoot.
4) Do not sell away all of your old lenses.
    - If you have an old autofocus lens you can still use it on any DSLR of the same brand without any loss in the transition.
    - "Digital Lenses" or DX / G as Nikon calls them. EF as Canon calls them, have 2 distinct differences that set them apart from other autofocus lenses.
          1. They lack an aperture ring, which means that you won't be able to use them on old manual film                         cameras. This makes it cheaper for them to make and cheaper for you as a consumer to purchase.
           2. The opening on the back end is smaller
                - Light sensors on DLSR are smaller than the 35mm palettes of film cameras, so lens makers can                       reduce the amount of glass that they use in the making of the lens. Again this simply translates to a                    cheaper lens for the consumer without any loss in the overall quality.
      - Other than that if you have an old AF or Auto Focus lens it will work just fine on whatever DLSR you decide to buy. If you doubt me at all just check on Nikon, Canon, or even Sony's (They now have the Alpha 100) websites. Ask them the question or just look through their Q and A boards. All AF's work on DSLRs.