Answer by
LeheckaG (1826)
In decreasing order of importance:
- preferred storage medium (removable flash-memory/NO-moving-parts)
- best optical zoom lens range (largest X)
- best low light sensitivity (lowest Lumens/Lux)
- best resolution (greatest MegaPixels)
- best warranty/customer-service
- other features (like shock/water/weather-resistance, ...)
- cost/price
- preferred name-brands (like Sony, Panasonic, JVC, ...)
Personally, we went with a Sony MemoryStick hand-held/palm-sized model.