What's more important, megapixels or optical zoom?

[sublime]

3 megapixels but no optical zoom, vs 2 megapixels and 3x optical zoom?

Will more megapixels balance the difference out, or is optical zoom that much more important?

[groan]

it really depends on the type of photography you want to do and what you want to do with the digital images.
if you are looking to do snapshots and you will want to make prints, go the 3MP route with no zoom.
if you are not intrested in doing prints, but want to have a bit more control on your end result go with the zoom and 2MP.

if you want the control AND prints, but are not intrested in doing really large enlargements (5x7 and smaller, you would be able to get away with the 2MP and zoom.

zoom is a really nice thing to have in a point and shoot camera. just make suer you consider what your final media is going to be. Digital or paper?

[Gary Sheynkman]

well rule #1: NO DIGITAL ZOOM
(as in it is not important or needed)
just in case there was any confusion :lol:

You always want the highest MP count possible (to a certain level that is) but after that you might want to look into the optical zoom and maybe a SLR that will allow you to switch lenses