Picking first digital - zoom and panorama questions

[paulsueoz]

Hi - I am new to digital and have been starting my research. I travel a lot and take a lot of pictures but am basically lazy. To date I use a film Canon Elph which is small, takes nice pictures, and will go from classic size, to wide to panoramic on the same film with a flick of the switch. It also has a telephoto which goes to 46mm.

How does the 3X optical zoom on most small digital cameras compare with what I have now?? I am technically ignorant when it comes to this stuff, but I would like more zoom.

Do all digital cameras give me the ability to "stitch" photos to give me a panorama? Or is it only the ones with special software? And, given that I am lazy, how hard is it to do?

Thanks for any input. I would like to stay small, but am undecided. Sue

[Billiam]

Average 3x zoom cameras have a range equivalent to 35 - 105 mm on a 35 mm film camera. That should give you the 'more zoom' you're looking for. Try one in a store and see if it matches your expectations!

Stitching several shots into a panorama is done outside of the camera, and I think most manufacturers supply the necessary software. I've only used the pano' software from Canon, and it's pretty simple to use. Taking pictures that will stitch together well is the hard part! It works much better if your panorama has no objects in the foreground.