when purchasing a Digital Camera, should 'megapixel' be the primary decisive factor?

[rudder]

Originally posted by: C'DaleRider

When I was shopping, I was looking for crisp pics, a highish optical zoom (more than 3X) instead of a high digital zoom (digital zoom has a way of distorting the photo while optical zooms do not), and a through-the-lens viewfinder.

.

digital zoom just blows up the pixel. Look for optical zoom for sure.

 

[andylawcc]

thank you all, I read all the reply and appreciate all your input.

right now, my eyes are set on this baby

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sd10.asp

hehe, I got a little greedy and want the absolute smallest one... but don't want to scarifice so much quality, otherwise, I would have gotten the Sony U10 or U30. (I didn't realize it only has 1.9 MP, but I saw actual pics from it and it wasn't bad at all.)


anyways, to answer the question of what type of user I am:
I am just a beginner, my top priority is size, then is quality, then is the "lag time."
I had a really-really-entry-level DC a year ago (Samsung something... it looks cute but has like 1 mp and pathetic flash, and no USB connection too! boo! but it was only 70 bucks after Amazon MIR)
I also take A LOT of pictures, just to remind myself of what I have done through time, but I got tired of taking pointless/bad picture with a traditional film-type camera, only to find out they were bad AFTER I developed them.

 

[andylawcc]

thank you all, I read all the reply and appreciate all your input.

right now, my eyes are set on this baby

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sd10.asp

hehe, I got a little greedy and want the absolute smallest one... but don't want to scarifice so much quality, otherwise, I would have gotten the Sony U10 or U30. (I didn't realize it only has 1.9 MP, but I saw actual pics from it and it wasn't bad at all.)


anyways, to answer the question of what type of user I am:
I am just a beginner, my top priority is size, then is quality, then is the "lag time."
I had a really-really-entry-level DC a year ago (Samsung something... it looks cute but has like 1 mp and pathetic flash, and no USB connection too! boo! but it was only 70 bucks after Amazon MIR)
I also take A LOT of pictures, just to remind myself of what I have done through time, but I got tired of taking pointless/bad picture with a traditional film-type camera, only to find out they were bad AFTER I developed them.

 

[andylawcc]

thank you all, I read all the reply and appreciate all your input.

right now, my eyes are set on this baby

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sd10.asp

hehe, I got a little greedy and want the absolute smallest one... but don't want to scarifice so much quality, otherwise, I would have gotten the Sony U10 or U30. (I didn't realize it only has 1.9 MP, but I saw actual pics from it and it wasn't bad at all.)


anyways, to answer the question of what type of user I am:
I am just a beginner, my top priority is size, then is quality, then is the "lag time."
I had a really-really-entry-level DC a year ago (Samsung something... it looks cute but has like 1 mp and pathetic flash, and no USB connection too! boo! but it was only 70 bucks after Amazon MIR)
I also take A LOT of pictures, just to remind myself of what I have done through time, but I got tired of taking pointless/bad picture with a traditional film-type camera, only to find out they were bad AFTER I developed them.

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Take your pick

I would check out the Canon PowerShot S400 or Nikon Coolpix 4300.

Oooh my camera is rossMan approved. I feel validated now.