There are so many things to consider as you scour the different online camera resources.
Let me put your mind at ease on the issue of megapixels. Although the sensor size is always one of the first things we look at when considering a new camera, whether it has 14 megapixels or 7 megapixels is not going to affect the quality of most photos you take. You can print a huge photo from a 7 megapixel photo just as you can from a 14 megapixel camera. So don't fret over a few megapixels (even though I will mention how many each camera has).
There are two separate people groups to consider when looking for a great camera.
First, you look at what the technical geeks have discovered. These guys take put new digital cameras through every test and trial know to man, and they publish their findings on web sites all over the Internet. What they say has quite a bit of merit, but you need to figure out their language. What may be a monumental shortfall for one of them may be inconsequential to you and me.
Second, and perhaps even more valuable, you look at what consumers of the cameras have discovered. Look at the good reviews and the bad ones. Many people will write a review about their experience after buying a camera, and that is just when you want to hear from them. Their experience is fresh and they will almost always write exactly how they feel without any sugar coating. Usually there will be common threads in these reviews. For instance, many people will find the same flaw in the design of a camera and rate it lower because of that flaw. Pay attention to these.
The good news here is that I have read gazillions of words about cameras. I have read the geeks' reviews, and I have read the consumers' reviews. Based on that information, I will be sharing which are the best pocket digital cameras on the market right now.
There are three cameras worthy of the title: Best Pocket Digital Camera in my humble opinion.
Canon SD1200 IS Elph
Panasonic Lumix DCM-TZ5
Sony Cyber-Shot DCS-W220
The qualifications for this category obviously start with a size that can easily be put into a pocket or purse. The Canon and Sony are approximately the same size and weight, while the Panasonic is a bit larger and heavier, yet it still qualifies for pocket transport.
Hopefully, the following comments will help you to make a decision about which of these three wonderful cameras is your best choice.
Canon SD1200 IS Elph:
10 megapixel image sensor
3x zoom
2.5" LCD screen
Video clips recorded at 640 x 480 @30fps (typical of pocket cameras)
Image Stabilization - this minimizes camera shake when taking pictures and makes it possible to get crisp, clear shots more often
Smart Auto - when selected it automatically makes all the proper settings for you to get the best photo
Face Detection Self-Timer - allows the camera to detect an increase in the number of faces in a scene and make the appropriate focus adjustments. Thus the photographer can come into the scene and the camera will adjust to get her into focus, too.
No Aperture or Shutter Priority control - this means the camera is in control of the aperture opening and shutter speed when the picture is snapped (this is totally fine unless you WANT control of these settings).
Panasonic Lumix DCM-TZ5:
9 megapixel image sensor
10x zoom
3.0" LCD screen
28mm wide angle Leica DC Lens (Leica is a trusted name in camera lenses)
Video clips recorded at 720p HD. This is a major difference from the other two cameras in video size and quality. Video can actually be viewed in a TV by inserting the memory card into a Panasonic HDTV if it's the right TV.
Advanced Intelligent Auto Exposure makes it easy for the most camera challenged individuals to get a great photo - no need to make manual setting adjustments
Automatic Face Detection
Continuous Auto Focus - when you move the camera, it stays in focus.
Aperture and Shutter Priority CAN be controlled by the photographer.
Sony CyberShot DCS-W220:
12.1 megapixels
4x zoom
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens - Zeiss is one of the most respected names in camera lenses
2.7" LCD screen
Video clips recorded at 640 x 480 @ 30fps (again typical of other compact cameras)
Auto Face Detection can recognize up to 8 faces.
Double Anti-blur Image Stabilaztion - helps make blur-free photos.
One more important item would be price, right? Prices are coming down in digital cameras as quality goes up. The Sony and Canon are in the same $$ range at just under 0, while the Panasonic is slightly more at about 0.
