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Before heading to the stores to get your digicam, CNET Asia fills you in on what you need to know, from the kind of user you are to the current technologies.

How do digital cameras differ from film?

If you're used to shooting with a film camera, you'll notice some differences when you switch to a digital model. Here's a quick summary.

What kind of digital camera is best for me?

In order to choose the right camera--one with the right set of features at the right price--you'll need to figure out what you'll be doing with it. Match your needs to one of these user profiles.

How many megapixels do I need?

As much as we'd like to give a one-word answer, this is one of the trickiest questions in digital photography. So we'll provide a short and a long answer.

What kind of lens are available for me?

There's a lot of variety in the world of digital camera lenses, from tiny, built-in fixed-focal-length plastic lenses to big, glass, removable zoom lenses with special optical coatings. We've broken these lenses down into four broad categories so you can determine which lens type is best for you.

What are my storage options?

Digital cameras generally save pictures on flash memory cards, but there are certain models that come with large internal memory for storage. The maximum storage capacity and prices of the various media cards can vary, so here's a quick overview of the common flash memory formats in the market today.

What kind of battery is best?

Most digital cameras use their own proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, although some budget models still rely on AA-sized cells for power. Find out what works best for you.

What else can my digital camera do?

Most digital cameras can do more than just take pictures. Here are some of the extra features you may find in the model you have your eye on.