I hace a Sony & Cannon. The Sony uses 3½ floppy disc and the Cannon uses a memory stick. They bothe take great pictures. The Sony is older and is not capable of the highest resolutions the new Cannon is but then again I SELDOM use the highest resolution feature on either one. The Sony I will never run out of memory as 3½ floppies are everywhere, but the camers is a little larger (not pocket size). The Cannon uses expensive memory sticks that down load to a laptop or a zip photoshow device, it IS pocket size (The same size as a pack of Marlboro). Both meet a need, if I had to get rid of one I couldn't decide which it would be as I use them equally.
Points I find important (not in order):
Physical SIZE
Zoom ability (digital & optical)
Type of memory (costs & how unloaded)
Resolution
Batteries (costs and life)
Pixels
Price

*** Most important *** The PRICE OF THE DIGITAL FILM!