Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

Im sooo confused at looking at cameras and cannot afford a SLR..

So I am looking at a Kodak ( we have one now) 14 MP , 5 x zoom camera.

Is that decent?

Is it better to get Megapixels or zoom?

I use the camera mostly for just everyday family shots, nothing too special?


eta-for the same price they have a Kodak 12x Zoom 8.0 Megapixel ??

TIA!!!!!

Message edited 11/8/2008 10:11:00 PM.

Re: Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

I would opt for zoom over megapixel. If this helps you gauge at all, I have one of the first DSLRs made - it's 6.1 megapixels & I have no issues with it.

Our friend has a great camera- I'll have to find out what kind because I do want to get a point & shoot for DH to use. I'll ping him & find out what it was.

Re: Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

I would go for zoom over megapixels also.

I have a kodak camera --- 5x zoom and I have a LOT of problems with zooming. Since day one if I try to zoom more then halfway it gets very dark and grainy, and now I can't zoom anymore then 1/4 without that happening. My sister has a kodak 10x zoom and hers is much better.

Re: Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

I agree with PP. Also, you want to focus on a greater optical zoom rather than a high digital zoom. Most cameras have a 3X optical and a 10X digital. Problem is that you want to zoom in and when you have to do so digitaly, it gets pixilated.

The idea behind mp is that the more mp, the bigger you can print the picture. Since most of us don't really print larger than 8x10, anything higher than 6 mp is really not necessary unless you plan on cropping your images tremendously.

Re: Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

I'd take zoom over megapixel.

Depending on the shot you're going for, you'll want to be able to have the ability to zoom in for the shot. But as for the megapixel rating...

A camera’s megapixel rating will help you determine the largest size of prints you can expect to make without sacrificing the quality of the image. It also will help you determine how much flexibility you will have with photo-editing software after an image is taken.

So basically the higher the megapixels the bigger the picture you can print. But keep in mind a camera with 2 megapixels will easily print a 4x6 print clearly so a camera with 8 megapixels will print something much larger like a 12x16 clearly.

Make sense?

Re: Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

I would go for more zoom. I think the higher the MP also, the more space the pics will take up on your PC . My Kodak is 8mp and 10x zoom and I love it!

Re: Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

Definitely zoom. As PPs said megapixels are only important if you plan on blowing up the pictures.

Re: Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

Just got an email back. This is the one he has.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Canon-PowerShot-SX110-IS-9-Megapixel-Digital-Camera-Black-SX110ISK/sem/rpsm/oid/221270/catOid/-13062/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Re: Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

Thansk everyone. Makes sense, and thanks Barb for the recc.

One more question..

I DO tend to Digitally Crop pictures a LOT....Is a 8-9 MP camera ok for that?

Re: Camera ? ( zoom vs. Megapixel)

Yes, 8-9 MP will yeild you a very clear 12x16 print at least. So you'll be fne to digitally enhance or crop with that.