i'm looking forward to getting a digital cammera, i'm looking for one with at least at least 3 MP, and a 3x OPTICAL zoom.... feel free to give me suggestions
To what use and with what price range? I recommend Canon Ixus 700 (powershot sd500 in states). It's not that expensive, and it's small and fast with superior image quality with 7,1mpix and 3x optical zoom. For cheaper models with less mpix but almost same abilities you should consider sd400, sd300 and sd200. All of them have at least 3mpix and 3x optical zoom. Check here for reviews: http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html
I have a sony dsc-V1 which was only $200 new and that is a great camera. It never loses focus, not even at 0 light!!!! It is 5Mp and 4x Optical zoom. It also records in TIFF mode if you want to edit photos on a PC. Also it has a 14bit image processor (most cameras have 10bit) so it has extended dynamic contrast and detail. The drawback is that it is slightly larger than the Canon mentioned above. Also, depending on what you use your camera for you may not need all the Mega Pixels. If you print, there is no difference between a 4x6 done in 1.2MP and 4.5MP. If you go larger than 10x8 you may start having to go for about 4MP+. Do a lot of research when buying a digital camera so that you get the best out of it, so check out a lot of reviews and maybe you can try to find a discontinued (last years) model camera and save 30% or more!!!
But canon's digic-processors are the imageprocessors on the market. All cameras I mentioned above have the upgraded digic-II processor, which is used in canon's dSLR's. Older models have digic-I which produces nice images but it's slow as hell.
I recently bought a 8mp Canon Digital Rebel XT & it's the best camera I've ever had. Paid $1,000 for it bit it was worth every penny of it!!!
Will be getting same camera in few weeks (eos 350d in europe) :> Which by the way uses that digic-II processor. Did you buy that kit with 18-50mm lens?
Didn't know about the digic II. Canon has always been a top name in Digital Cameras. If you do get a Canon you should go for the sd series as mentioned above. Try not to get a too user friendly camera as in time you will get to know your camera better and you will demand more manual control over it. Also, you should keep in mind that digital cameras can last many years if taken care of. Some cameras can take over 100,000 pics. That would take the average user about 1000 years to wear out (it would take someone like me about 25-50 years). This means do not get a point & shoot only. Spend a little more now and then you will not have to replace the camera in a few months when there is a new breakthrough in technology. And like I said before, more mega pixels does not always mean better pictures. A quality camera with lower MP will take better pics than a cheap camera with oodles of MP.
It depends How much you want to spend.. I started with a sony DSC-P50 2 megapixels then DSC-P10 5 megapixels but now I have A Canon Digital Rebel XT a little more expensive but worth every penny.. $839 W/5Yr. Mack Warranty. + $100 for a 2Gb. Compac Flash Memory Card you do the math. Worth it? Every Penny...
