Digital Cams: I need advice on purchasing one

When it comes to computer, I know it all (well mostly) but when it comes to digital cameras I am very unknowledgeable. Therefore I decided before I buy one I should get some advice from the people who know a lot about digital cameras (or I would hope so): graphic designers. If you do not know much about digital cameras and/or don’t know what you’re talking about, not to be rude but please refrain from giving advice on this matter. It is important to me that I get the camera that would best fit my needs and use, I do not want to waste money and time on something I am going to regret buying.

Before I go to college in September I plan on saving up and purchasing a digital camera. Now as much as I want to take everyday pictures I will also be taking up my own photography project and therefore the quality of pictures this camera takes will be important in my buying this camera. However since I am taking it to college I would prefer for it to be a compact, ultra-compact or slim format rather than the SLRs. However, I am not closing the door on SLRs either. I don’t know much about how important MegaPixels are when it comes to digital cameras but I think one that has 5-7 MegaPixels would be sufficient. The most amount of money I would spend on a camera would have to be about $500, maybe $550 but that’s pushing it.

From my research Nikon and Canon were the two best companies when it comes to digital cameras within my price range. The Nikon Coolpix 7900 and Canon PowerShot SD500 (Digital IXUS 700) are two cameras I have done some research on and have my interest but with all the technicalities of the digital zoom, min shutter, max shutter, and etc. I can’t really tell whether or not either one of them would be a good buy or not or tell if what’s more important and what’s less important, and what not. I am also aware that the Canon PowerShot S2 IS is known to be good camera as well (from the reviews and research that I have done) but it seems slightly bulkier than the other compact format cameras and has lower MPs than the other 2 cameras that I have mentioned.

How important are MegaPixels when it comes to cameras and the qualities of the pictures?

How important is a camera’s digital zoom and optical zoom and what is a decent digital and optical zoom for a camera to have to get good quality pictures when it comes to photography?

Should I get one of these 3 cameras that I listed or is there another camera out there that I should look into?

If there are any other cameras you would recommend over the ones I’ve mentioned please feel free to do so. I am open for any legitimate recommendations for I know nothing of digital cameras. In addition, if you can, if you do recommend a camera would you please explain why I should purchase this camera? It may seem like a big request from the people from this community but I would appreciate all the help that I can get.

Thank in advance. And if you would like to get in touch with me away from Custo.org, my AIM screen name is JSUHiR and my e-mail address is jonsuhmail@gmail.com

JONATHAN ` idioRHYTHM