Dunno what you should avoid, but I think it's worth testing possible choices before buying. I find that some cameras have annoying designs, so it's worth having a go to see if the feel of the thing is comfortable. I take pics using the viewfinder rather than the lcd, and before getting my current camera (aging sony cybershot) I rejected a few that were really uncomfortable to use. Also, it can be worth trying the camera in low light (inside of coat or something) to see how good or crap it is. My first digital camera was a brick, but could pull up an image in dark environments. My sony sucks at that, though current models may be better.