Digi camera query - mega pixel, optical zoom, digital zoom

[SurreyGuy]

I'm looking to buy a digital camera. I don't want one that is "all-singing" or "all-dancing" nor do I want to spend a fortune (yes, I know "you get what you pay for") - I simply want one that will enable me to "point and press" and get good pics!

However, I am not camera-minded, so can anyone please advise me on any of the following :

a) What mega pixel spec do I need to go for?

b) What is optical zoom? What spec would I need?

c) What is digital zoom? What spec would I need?

d) Will I need a camera with both b) and c) on it?

e) Any specific camera model recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[kate1976]

I'm not clued up on specs or anything but I bought this http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumb er/5604054/Trail/C%24cip%3D36801.Photography%3 EC%24cip%3D36810.Digital%2Bcameras%3EFC%24Bran ds%3DVivitar.Vivitar.htm

It's a good enough camera and simple enough so that even I can use it!!!

[KRUSTY]

I would advise going for the highest mega pixel you can afford. As to the zoom, an optical zoom is much better than a digital zoom. I recently invested in a new digital camera and went for the option of a higher digital zoom and have regretted it ever since.

[Space]

a) Last time I searched for cameras on ebay, there were lots of fake "10 megapixel" ones...
If it's your first digital camera, anything from 2 megapixels will be fine. But get it in from proper shop, and a known brand.

b) Optical zoom is... a zoom. You might not need it. It increases the price of the camera because it adds moving mecanical parts and lenses. You probably won't have much choice about the spec, you'll get either 3x or nothing.

c) Digital zoom is completely useless and stupid. Don't use it. Unfortunately, most cameras have it.

d) a website with good camera reviews
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

[fo3nix]

a) forget megapixels. a lot of hype about nothing. simply for enough detail though, go for 3 or above. 5 and above is probably wasted on you though, unless you want to make A3 prints.

b) optical zoom means the lens itself changes -- the physical glass itself. most have 3x of this (pocket cameras anyway); this should be enough, unless you want to take long shots of birds and other wildlife. the average wildlife at home will be fine for a 3x.

c) digital zoom is terrible. don't ever use it, and ignore anything it says about it on the box.

d) optical is all you want to think about. there is no digital zoom.

e) canon, kodak, nikon, fiju, and my personal favourite under-rated brand, casio.

My tip: Casio Z110. You can pick one up for about �110, and they're great little cameras.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks folks - great answers.

Hadn't really thought about "blowing up" of prints, but might go for 5+ megapixels.

Still open to advice though :o)

[guinnessman]

Just so you get an idea for what the digital zoom is like, it basically just takes the picture as it would without a zoom, and then zooms in on the picture afterwards, thus losing the picture quality. The Optical zoom the truer one, where the picture is actually taken through a zoom lens without the loss of quality.

[fo3nix]

The Casio that I mention has actually got a 6 megapixel sensor.

Though they aren't too important, if you have to choose against two cameras that are essentially the same but one has more pixels, then obviously go for the higher one.