What do i need 2 know about digital cameras b4 i buy 1?

Even though I personally own this ultra compact 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. Takes "continuous" 2 frames per second "action/sports" images;
4. Has macro feature for close-ups of small objects focused under 6 inches;
5. The flash setting for "red-eye" correction is on the navigator wheel and not within a submenu;
6. It's very small and light;
7. Uses inexpensive SD memory cards - a 2 gig card sells for $19 at samys.com;
8. The digital video feature takes wonderful "sound" videos which are noise free. It records the piano very well with it's built-in microphone;
9. It comes with a USB 2.0 transfer cable which you connect to your USB computer port;
10. Has tripod mount on bottom of camera;
11. And the price is a mere $119 [sold at Samy's Camera - www.samys.com, and Staples.com.]

Review(s) can be found at www.amazon.com [Query: "Nikon Coolpix L10" along with pictures provided by satisfied purchasers.]

Good luck!

You need to know the megapixels. Don't get one lower than 7.2 megapixel. Anything higher is very valuable. Also a 3x zoom is normal. Any higher would be outstanding. Mp and zoom is all u need..........and also if it takes videos.

You need to figure out how you intend to use it. You can get a pretty good bargain in a 3 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom, only to find out that it is lousy for making 8 by 10 inch prints. Or, you can spend a heck of a lot of money on a 10 megapixel camera, just to take family snapshots.

Some hints, get as much megapixel as you can afford. The more of these, the better quality large prints you can get. If you plan to take good telephoto shots, disregard digital zoom. Optical zoom is the only number that counts. Again, the higher the optical zoom, the better the quality. If you want simplicity, get one with as many automatic features as you can afford. If you want better control, research the manual featurs available, such as shutter speed and exposure settings.

I personally recommend you make sure it uses readilly available batteries, such as double A, and not some special battery that can only be used in your camera. (I recommend replacing the batteries with rechargable ones, such as NiMH, and get a charger for them. More expensive, but pays off withing a couple of recharges.) Also, buy an extra and upgraded memory card, if you plan to take a LOT of pictures.

Don't expect a lot of features in a tiny size camera. Do the research. Stay with a name brand. Read the professional and user reviews. Once you've found the camera you want, shop around for a good, relaible source. Mid range cameras can be priced up and down as much as a couple of hundred dollars for the same model.

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions

All of the major brands have their fans, and I have no doubt that they are all good cameras. The only camera available at the moment that I would stay away from is the Fuji S9500. I bought one and the photos are just not sharp and clear.

Take your time looking, they are getting better and cheaper as time goes by.

Optical zoom is the most important thing, get the most you can for your money.

Digital zoom is a complete waste of time, do not consider this as a factor when buying a camera. Once you have bought a camera, turn digital zoom off.

Get the most megapixels you can for your money.

As a very rough rule of thumb when comparing your final choices in camera, take the number of megapixels and multiply that by the amount of optical zoom. Buy the camera with the highest number.

Try to avoid a camera that uses two 'AA' batteries (except perhaps the Kodaks that can use the CR3 Lithium ion Battery Pack). Get a camera that either uses four, or one with its own dedicated Lithium Ion battery pack. (If you want to keep it for a long time, check the price and availability of replacement batteries. perhaps ebay?)