Which is the better camera to buy?

Both are Sony digital cameras. One is 8.1 MP with a 5x optical zoom. The other is 12.1 MP with a 3x optical zoom. Which is better? One has more megapixels and therefore better resolution, while the other has a better optical zoom.

Ok, nevermind the brand...which is better, an 8.1 MP with 5x optical zoom, or a 12.1 MP with 3x optical zoom?

I say 8.1 with 5x zoom. Zoom is important and on a point and shoot, you're not going to see the difference in a 8.1 megapixel vs. a 12.1 megapixel because they're are putting too many pixels on a tiny sensor. There would be a difference on an SLR (especially if you're in to really big poster size prints).

Don't buy a Sony camera. Get a Canon Digital ELPH, Powershot. They are top rated in www.consumerreports.com, way above Sony. And I've owned two of them and they are awesome. They have large screens, very compact, good zoom functions, and they use a normal version of flash memory, and not a stupid Sony memory stick which can only be used with Sony stuff.

Go with the 8.1 megapixel one because of the zoom. It matters what you need it for though. AND just because there are more megapixels doesnt make the quality better, you need a good lens. I say go with the 8.1 megapixel one because I know which one your talking about and I love it!

HOPE I HELPED!

Adam L

the 8mp with 5x is better
the 12mp won't improve the picture

good work adam,

a

I agree with button. The 12MP camera would probably have WORSE picture quality because of the pixels being too small. That's probably why my 6MP camera gets better pictures than most compact digital cameras.