Some of the language is confusing me. What is megaplex, SLR & the if the letters after the name mean something specific ?

I am looking for a camera that is the stediest where my hand isn't, with the most zoom. However, I also do not know how to compare where languare i.e megaplex,SLR are used. That means nothing to me. IS there a code word for a steady camera, or extended zoom, simple, auto shoot. Things like that to tell the difference between each of the different models?

Hi Merica,

What you're looking for is a camera with an Image Stabilization system (IS). Some companies also refer to this technology as VR (for "vibration reduction"). Typically this is accomplished either by gyroscopes that move the lens to compensate for movement by your hand, or by a mechanism that moves the imaging sensor (aka the CCD).

Some of the best long zoom cameras with IS systems are:

Canon's S2 IS and S3 IS
Panasonic's FZ7 and FZ50
Sony's H5
Kodak's P712

All of these have 10x or 12x optical zooms paired with very good Image Stabilization systems.

To your definition questions: a "megapixel" is a million pixels (the tiny dots which digital photos are made up of), so the more megapixels, the larger the image on your screen and the larger you can print those images; a "SLR" is a single lens reflex camera--you can recognize them primarily by the fact that they have removable lenses and by their huge price tags--they range from serious amateur to pro equipment; the letters after model names are pretty arbitrary, but sometimes (as in the case of the S2 IS and S3 IS) they mean something... it's pretty hard to tell sometimes.

Hope this helps!

It sounds as if you may be confused if you buy a camera which is too complicated or which has cryptic displays. Go to a store (and it may take a couple of tries, WalMart is bad for NOT doing this) which keeps the display cameras use-ready, with strong batteries and empty memory. You'll want to try them out, and find one which has strong selection of automatic modes to help you (action, macro, and so on). I cannot emphasize this enough, you want OPTICAL image stabilization, not DIGITAL image stabilization. Optical systems move elements of the lens to compensate for movement. Digital systems crop the sensor, removing some resolution, detail, and sharpness to accomplish the stabilization. Though rare a few years ago, optical IS is common now, and is a big help with super zooms. You might try the Kodak Z712. It retails for less than $250. That said, there are a plethora of excellent choices. Panasonics are very easy to use, but I was unimpressed with the image quality on mine. Most any quality brand (why doesn't anyone mention Nikon anymore?) of 10x+ zoom camera will give 4x6 prints that anyone would be happy with.