If you are new to digital cameras you may find the following information helpful. A higher number of megapixels will allow you to choose the setting to increase the clarity of the digital photograph. Fewer pixels are fine for the Internet, higher ones are needed to print the photographs. A camera with 3 MP (megapixels) will be sufficient for all but the professional photographer or artist who is taking photos to make prints.
Optical zoom is important. It means that the camera physically changes the zoom on demand just like a 35mm camera. The higher the X number, the more you can enlarge the distant image. Digital zoom is less important because it is often less clear and may require a tripod to hold the camera steady to avoid blurring.
