First of all when you are buying a digital camera be sure for what purpose you buy it. before one week of your purchase sit down and do a home work about your product. make a check list.
For example I will tell you how to select a digi cam for a house purpose and a first time camera purchase.
1) decide what is the amount of calrity you need. for a general home purpose 6-7MP will do fine. if you want to buy for a prrofessional purpose go for 10-12MP.
2) decide which company you need to buy. I would suggest canon. it gives good value for money.
3) make sure that the authorosied service center is located in your own city. take this serious if you are buying digi cam for first time. else you wil very much repent for it.
4) of couse your budget. set your budget with in 10k if you are buying camera for first time. dont buy high end cameras if you are a stater of using digi cams.
5) see to that camera supports normal SD and MMC cards.
6) make sure that camera can use any AA battery for its operation.
7) make sure you have a view finder. this will help a lot for starters.
8) read about the camera and make sure it has lot of modes to shoot. this will help you a lot.
these points are enough
i think. if you haev further questions feel free to mail me and calrify your doubts.