Find one that has Autofocus and MACRO. That's the key to closeups. Some say close-up, but don't do a very good job. I have one...

If you want to use it for everyday shooting, then there are some other factors. Most come with 3x optical zoom and some sort of digital zoom. The problem is that the digital zoom is no different than just cropping the picture when you get home. You loose resolution.

If you can find one with a better OPTICAL zoom, 6x or 10x for example, you will be much happier.

For eBay and just having fun, you don't need anything more than a 2 or 3 MP camera. You will be able to print very nice 4x6 prints of your vacation or whatever. I've made 8 x 10s with a 2 megapixel camera that were "OK" But because of limitations on what the web can show, there is no gain in having a 6 MP over a 1 MP camera.

The various makers use different kinds of memory cards. If you already have something that's using memory cards, look for one that's the same. Many use SD cards, Sony uses their own memory sticks, others use a larger card style, like Canon and Nikon. None is better or worse that I know of, but it's something to consider.

You can take the cards into a Wallgreens or Sam's or just about anyplace that has the Fuji machines and make prints for 29c and down. Often they have specials like make 50 prints and get them scanned to a CD for free. Running every 4-6 weeks. The Kodak machines charge by the sheet, so it's going to cost you a little more. BOTH make real photographic, or die transfer prints, unlike the home inkjet and laser printers which are expensive and use expensive paper and supplies.

It's to the point now that a good digital camera, making prints at the store, is far cheaper than taking film pictures. You get to pick what you print. Also making prints at the store is less expensive and better quality than trying to print at home. You can always print contact sheets at home and make the 4x6 or larger at the store.

So I'd say, get something that has Macro with autofocus and more than a 3x optical zoom. I don't know if they make anything without a built in flash, but that's a must also for a pocket camera.