Before you buy a camera, check out reviews by people who have bought and used the camera. Amazon is one place you'll find plenty of these.

Factors to bear in mind when purchasing a new digital camera are

• the pixel count - bearing in mind that this relates primarily to the maximum print size you can get 'film quality' photographic prints.

2Mp = 4x6"
3Mp = 5x7"
4Mp = 6x8"
5Mp = 7x10"
8Mp = 10 x 14" this is printing at 300 dpi.

If you only want to view your digital camera images on your monitor then almost any digital camera from 2Mp upwards will give you results you will be happy with.

• the optical zoom value (you can safely ignore any digital zoom value)

• the price

• the battery size. Some digital cameras use specially designed and very expensive batteries. You always get one with the camera, but LCD screens can drain the battery quite quickly so you definitely need a spare. If budget is a serious consideration then AA size are a definite plus point when making your digital camera short list

• the LCD screen size. Bigger screens give clearer, easier to see pictures - though most are difficult to view in bright sunlight, unless you buy a digital camera screen shade.