What to look for in a camera?

[samuel]

I'm pretty clueless. What should I look for aside from how many megapixels it has?

[Crossblade]

The brand. The optics mannufacturer. A good optical zoom. Image Stabiliser (OIS) is goood - Panasonic digital cameras has it. Li-ION battery is a plus ! Always pocket-sized camera is better than bulky camera.
I reccomend:
Panasonic (they use Leica optics)
Nikon
Canon
Pentax
Olympus

[saliquincer]

samuel,
Sony , FujiFilm , Olympus , Canon , ...
Lenz is heart of the camera !

[DUNGA]

Sony DSC P200 or Panasonic Fx-7, those are beauties take a look at your closest shop...

[DanielLev]

I would recommend a Canon or Nikon. I have a canon and like it. I hadn't been camera shopping in a while until the other day. They are getting better and better, smaller and smaller and cheaper and cheaper. It's really kinda nice.

[benji]

I'd recommend a Sony, if you can heres the biggest and best tip anyone here is going to give you:

Read plenty of reviews on the internet and check picture/video quality etc before you make a final decision, hope that helps my friend :)