I want to take photos that I can e-mail to friends and family, post on the Web, or print in sizes smaller than 8x10 inches. I'd like a digital camera that is easy enough for the whole family to use and small enough to take anywhere. I'll be printing on an inexpensive, all-purpose inkjet printer, though I'll consider buying a photo printer if I like the pictures enough.

Resolution	4 megapixels or greater
Price	$150 to $300
Lens type	Zoom (range encompassing at least 38mm to 114mm, 35mm equivalent)
Storage media	Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard
Photo file format	JPEG
Interfaces	USB, NTSC/PAL television connection
Exposure controls	Automatic, programmed scene modes, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure)
Focus controls	Automatic
Flash modes	Automatic, fill, red-eye reduction
Software	Photo stitching, photo album, slide show
Multimedia	Video-clip recording with sound
Cool features to look for	Direct-to-printer (PictBridge) output compatibility; in-camera red-eye removal; automatic exposure fix; optical or mechanical image stabilization

I like to buy the newest, shiniest toys before anyone else does. I want to impress my friends and business associates with the latest technologies and coolest features, but not if it makes the product too complicated to use. I care about how much I spend, though it's not one of my top concerns.

Resolution	7 megapixels or greater
Price	Less than $1,000
Lens type	Zoom (range encompassing at least 36mm to 108mm, 35mm equivalent)
Storage media	Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard
Photo file format	JPEG
Interfaces	USB, NTSC/PAL television connection
Exposure controls	Automatic, programmed scene modes, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure)
Focus controls	Automatic
Flash modes	Automatic, fill, red-eye reduction
Software	Photo-stitching, photo album, slide show
Multimedia	VGA (640x480), 30-frame-per-second video-clip recording with sound and functioning zoom during video
Cool features to look for	Ultracompact design, Webcam capabilities, voice recording, Wi-Fi support, large LCD, simultaneous video and photo capture, 12X or greater optical zoom, optical or mechanical image stabilization

I need to be able to shoot onsite or in the office, photograph products and people for ads and publicity in print and on the Web, and get professional-looking results without hiring a pro. I need to get prints in a variety of ways, including from a color laser printer or quick-print shop. I have to share the camera with my coworkers.

Resolution	5 megapixels or greater
Price	$400 to $700
Lens type	Zoom (range encompassing at least 36mm to 130mm, 35mm equivalent)
Storage media	CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard
Photo file format	JPEG or TIFF
Interfaces	USB, NTSC/PAL television connection
Exposure controls	Automatic, aperture- and shutter-priority, manual, choice of metering modes, autobracketing
Focus controls	Automatic, manual
Flash modes	Automatic, fill, red-eye reduction, external flash compatibility
Software	Photo editor; collaborative image sharing
Multimedia	Voice recording, built-in speaker for audio playback
Cool features to look for	Support for digital security, WiFi, text-capture mode, world clock

I want to shoot stills and video clips for the Web, use creative effects when shooting and manipulating images, have professional-level control, output prints that are 8x10 inches or larger on a high-quality photo printer, and use accessories and different lenses.

Resolution	5 megapixels or greater
Price	$500 and up
Lens type	Supports lens converters or interchangeable lenses or zoom with widest focal range possible
Storage media	High-capacity CompactFlash, Hitachi Microdrive, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard
Photo file format	JPEG, TIFF (YCbCr or RGB), RAW
Interfaces	USB 2.0 or FireWire
Exposure controls	Automatic, aperture- and shutter-priority, manual, choice of metering modes, autobracketing
Focus controls	Automatic with selectable focus points, manual
Flash modes	Automatic, fill, slow sync, hot shoe or contact for external flash
Software	Full-featured photo editor, software for PC-controlled capture
Multimedia	Voice annotation
Cool features to look for	Compatibility with existing 35mm-camera lenses and accessories, customizable user modes, dynamic histogram display, optical or mechanical image stabilization

I want to find a basic digicam costing less than $200 that will let me post snapshots on the Web; e-mail them to friends; print them in small sizes (4x6 or smaller) on my inexpensive, multipurpose inkjet printer; and get me up and running quickly without requiring me to read the manual. I want a camera that will satisfy me for a few years.

Resolution	5 megapixels or greater
Price	Less than $200
Lens type	Fixed (between 38mm and 55mm, 35mm equivalent) or zoom (range at least encompassing 38mm to 76mm, 35mm equivalent)
Storage media	Internal memory, CompactFlash Type I, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard
Photo file format	JPEG
Interfaces	USB, NTSC/PAL television connection
Exposure controls	Automatic, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure)
Focus controls	Autofocus or fixed focus
Flash modes	Automatic, fill, red-eye reduction
Software	Basic photo editor
Cool features to look for	Webcam capabilities, automatic scene modes, continuous-shooting mode, autofocus assist lamp

I want a camera that's easy to use but that I can grow into if I get hooked on digital photography. I want to be able to print good-looking photos at sizes smaller than 8x10 inches on my inexpensive inkjet printer, but I'd like prints that will look OK if I decide to print larger or get a better printer. I want to spend less than $500.

Resolution	7 megapixels or greater
Price	$300 to $500
Lens type	Zoom (range encompassing at least 34mm to 136mm, 35mm equivalent)
Storage media	Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard
Photo file format	JPEG, TIFF, RAW
Interfaces	USB, NTSC/PAL television connection
Exposure controls	Automatic, aperture- and shutter-priority, manual, choice of metering modes, autobracketing
Focus controls	Automatic, manual
Flash modes	Automatic, fill, slow sync
Software	Midrange photo editor
Multimedia	Video-clip recording with sound
Cool features to look for	Remote control, dynamic histogram display, compatibility with lens converters and accessories; built-in help features; mechanical or optical image stabilization