This post is rated "Red Chile".

Black Friday is here and, like many, I'm in the market for a compact digital camera. But, as Vladimir Ivanoff (aka Robin WIlliams in Moscow on The Hudson) overwhelmingly stated, "Choices, Choices, Choices!"

If you have some unique prosumer requirements such as removable lenses, then you may already have a specific camera in mind. But, if you just want to be able to take great pictures of your vacation or your family this holiday season, there are just a few things that the obsessive/compulsive comparison shopper will want to know. As CNet appears to rave about almost every camera every shipped, below is a short list of purchasing criteria and cameras from which to choose.

1. Mega-pixels matter!

Vendors who have the highest resolution cameras will tout their high megapixel count, usually 14MP to 18MP. Vendors that are stuck on 10MP to 12MP, will tout their wide image sensor. The bottom line is that you want both in a best of breed digital camera. The more megapixels that your camera has, the larger the size of the print you can make. This is becoming even important as the price of LCD monitors continues to plummet. You may take great photos on vacation in Hawaii this year and  choose to use one or more as a desktop image or as a screen saver. But, upon enlargement of the image, you may also realize that the fat guy in the beach chair holding a Bud Light made it into the corner of your photo where your thumb usually is. You will want to crop out that guy and/or your thumb, effectively reducing the resolution of your photo -2MP to -4MP. Computer monitors, flat screen televisions and digital picture frames will continue to increase in size as prices fall. Thus, plan for the future and buy as many megapixels as you can. Higher is better. At this time, 14MP-18MP is best.

2. Image Sensors matter!

In short, using a camera a larger, higher quality image sensor is the best way for amateurs to improve their photos. Higher quality image sensors (a.k.a. CCDs or electric light sensors) are necessary for photographing sports and fast moving children. Larger image sensors also require less light before defaulting to the flash cube. (Remember those?) The challenge is that camera manufacturers, unlike computer manufacturers, are often vague about their speeds in feeds. The best we can do is try to compare them online. Larger is usually better.

3. Video matters!

All of these cameras now have some form of video recording capabilities. Top vendors are attempting to offer high resolution HD1080p video while the "me too" vendors have simply included video capability as a low-resolution, line item check box. For a couple dollars more, you might as well get good video. 1080p is better than 720p.

4. Usability matters!

Not all cameras fit all hands, and I swear, some of the buttons were designed by pygmies for even smaller people and then exported to the USA as a sarcastic joke. If you keep hitting the wrong button, don't buy the camera. The same is true for lenses. A larger focal length is also better, if, it can fit in your pocket or purse. 98% of our photos are point and shoot while on the go. Thus, less is more; ease of use and portability trump speeds and feeds. That said, they are all a little too complex.

5. Price really doesn't matter.  

Most of the compact cameras are already in the same price bracket. You will look back on your photos and say, "I'm glad I took these great pics" or " I wish I had spent the fifty bucks and purchased a better camera". Pick the camera that best suits you and then go find the best price.

Cameras with new features such as GPS, integrated cameras, wifi cameras, ruggedized or waterproof cameras are cool but require you to trade off other features. While many companies focus on design, Canon, Leica, Panasonic and Sony are at the leading edge of functionality for compact digital cameras.

Finally, be both selective and nostalgic about your compact digital camera purchase for it may be your last camera as next year you will pay less attention to the camera application and specifications and more attention to the communication applications when selecting your next cell phone / pocket computer.

The 2010 Short List 

(green is good, red is not so good)

CANON

CASIO 

LEICA

NIKON

PANASONIC

PENTAX

SAMSUNG

SANYO

SONY