As you can see it is important to think about what kind of camera you want and what you expect to get out of it when you are in a position to buy a new one. If you don't do your research first you could end up buying something you will be disappointed in.
Firstly you need to ask yourself whether you want something basic which comes at an entry level point, or something a lot more advanced. If you already have a basic digital camera you might want something more involved than you already have. Obviously if you are a dedicated photographer you will want to look at the high end models that cost upwards of several hundred pounds.
This brings up another interesting point worth noting too your budget. Ask yourself how much you can afford to spend and then look and see what is available in that range. This should help you narrow down your choices. It will also indicate whether you need to save money for a while before buying the camera you really want.
Look at the different features and benefits each digital camera has as well. For instance most of them now have a zoom function, but how far will you be able to zoom in without losing any picture quality? If you want to be able to zoom in to great effect you will need to look for a super zoom camera, which offers far more in the way of zoom than many other cameras in the range.
Another important consideration is the number of pixels your camera will have. Generally speaking the larger the number of pixels, the better the images will be that you can take and print up. You will spend more money on a digital camera that has more mega pixels but the extra investment is almost invariably worth it on every occasion.
Normally it is a question of balancing your budget with the number and quality of features you want to have. For instance if you want a top of the range camera you will need to be prepared to pay for it. At the other end of the scale if you want a bargain you won't get the best quality as well.
Once you have a camera that does everything you want it to, you will notice how much your digital photos can improve. You might even enjoy taking photos a lot more than you ever did before.