Digital cameras and MP3/ipods

[eash]

I thought it was about time I got with the times and bought a digital camera and mp3 player/ipod but I'm clueless with all the jargon! Firstly what is the difference between an ipod and MP3 player and which is best? Also when talking digital cameras what are mega pixals?? How do I know which is best? Anyone got any recommendations? I'm thinking as cheap but as decent as possible! Thanks in advance.

[Ethel]

Ipod is made by the huge huge Apple company, and it plays mp3 files - digitally compressed music files.

All other mp3 players can't call themselves ipod because they are not made by Apple. (Think Hoover and vacuum cleaners).

I personally don't like ipod and much prefer sony or creative - but that is personal choice.

Digital cameras - they work by making a picture out of millions of dots, called pixels. The more pixels the better the picture.

However, just as important is the zoom. You will see cheap cameras advertising huge zoom (8x; 10x etc). You MUST make sure this is OPTICAL zoom and not digital zoom. Digital zoom is more or less meaningless.

Invest in a specialist camera magazine - read the reviews, get to know the jargon, and see what you can expect for your money.

Be aware that they are hugely draining on batteries. So buy the best rechargeable batteries you possibly can.

[Random Hero]

also with cameras its not always the more megapixels the better, as after about 4 megapixels the filesize of the photos taken becomes ridiculous, and hence will result in you buying a larger memory card. the best you will need like i forementioned is 4megapixels, as after that the eye cant really detect any improvement in detail. hope this helps (gotta love having A-Level physics :P)

[missjef]

hi, im not a great expert on digital camera's so i'll leave that to people who know!

I would definately recommend an Ipod, the bonus is if you get an ipod nano (which come in some really nice colours - i have a pink one!) you can put pictures on it which you will have taken with your new digital camera!!
I love my ipod, and recently discovered that i can play my songs in my mums car! (you can buy a tape thing from asda for around �8 that you plug into the headphones bit).
i know a lot of people who dont like the ipod, but i dont see what is wrong with it, i love mine. I got my boyfriend an ipod shuffle and he loves that too.

I dont think i would prefer the shuffle though as you cant select the songs because it doesnt have a screen, plus i like mine because i can look at pictures on it.

The one i have is a pink ipod nano (you can get sliver, blue or green & a black one - but thats a bit more expensive) for �129 from woolworths & argos both have them.

hope this helps x

[eash]

Thanks guys that's a great help :-) x