I'm looking at a new digital camera. What is the difference between mpeg1 & mpeg4? Which is the best?

MPEG-4 of course.

MPEG is very similar to the JPEG group but it focuses on Motion (Video). Video, at 30 frames per second, of course has many more issues to deal with than single still frames captured on a digital sensor. As programing algorithms advanced, the MPEG number went from MPEG to MPEG-4 and I am sure will advance further as does time.

i think (lol think) mpeg stands for megapixels, and if so, the higher the number the better the pictures the camera will take.

get the 4

Even though I personally own this camera, I would still like to highly recommend the purchase of a Nikon Coolpix L10 for the following reasons:

1. Besides taking well-exposed hi-quality 5 megapixel pictures, it uses a standard set of rechargeable double AA batteries which last a very long time;
2. Has a 3x optical zoom;
3. The flash setting for "red-eye" correction is on the navigator wheel and not within a submenu;
4. It's very small and light;
5. Uses inexpensive SD memory cards;
6. The digital video feature takes wonderful "sound" videos which are noise free. It records the piano very well with it's built-in microphone;
7. It comes with a USB 2.0 transfer cable which you connect to your USB computer port;
8. And the price is a mere $120 [sold at Samy's Camera - www.samyscamera.com, and Staples.com.]

Good luck!