That said, the odds of eliminating pixelation and other distortion elements from your prints increase if you maintain the highest resolution at lower output sizes. Beyond resolution, the next feature to watch for is zoom. Some of the cheapest digital cameras have no zoom at all, requiring users to move closer to the subject. Many models will offer a combination of zoom methods, such as 3X optical and 2X digital. This would commonly be listed as 6X zoom, although, as with scanners, the true optical aspect is the critical feature.
Plastic lenses can dramatically reduce image quality.
The difference is truly negligible. It's virtually impossible to see either in bright sunlight. Also, buy the camera with as much RAM as possible. With more RAM, you'll be more inclined to take more pictures at higher resolution quality and not have to worry about swapping memory. While it is by no means comprehensive, here is a list of cameras to examine on your quest for digital mastery.