12 Megapixels! Super High Resolution! 12.5X Optical Zoom! When you go shopping for digital cameras, you are bombarded with specifications like these. The exclamation marks can make you feel like you just have to buy that model, even if you started off just looking for a cheap compact digital camera for taking "happy snaps" of the kids at play or your friends at parties.

What do those specifications mean? Do you really need all those megapixels? What's the difference between optical and digital zoom and should you care? Our Digital Cameras Buying Guide will help you navigate your way through the maze and find the right digital camera for your needs.