The “X” factor of zoom on camcorders and compact cameras is approximate. The sensor on compact cameras are very small, about the size of a dime. The sensor on D-SLR cameras are much bigger, slightly larger than a nickel. Most lenses are designed off the 35mm film equivalent. The image sensor on most D-SLRs are actually smaller than 35mm, so you would have to take 300mm * 1.6 (average sensor size) then divide by 50, which gives you 480 / 50 = 9.6X factor.
Keep in mind this is OPTICAL ZOOM there is no DIGITAL ZOOM on D-SLR cameras. With doublers and larger lenses she will get sharp beautiful photos from a much longer distance.

There is many things that could cause this error. 1) Make sure you are using the correct type of DvD. Your burner may be either DvD-R or DvD+R, make sure you have the correct disk for that burner. If it is a DvD-R/+R you should be able to use BOTH types of disks. 2) You may be putting the disk in a CD burner not a DvD Burner. The Dazzle must have a DvD Burner present, not just a DvD Player, to work and the disk must be in the DvD Burner. 3) The model of DvD Burner you have installed may not be supported. Check for Dazzle update for latest version. I am not sure if the Dazzle works with DvD Ram. 4) Use a good quality brand of blank DvD. Cheap brands can sometimes have a lot of burning issues.

That is a hard question to answer. There is really not a BEST Camera. All have features that will make one camera more appealing for some than others. It is better to look at the track record of the manufacturing company. Do they have popular models and good customer reviews, innovators of technology or just copy cats, and how often models are returned due to problems and defects. This camera will be YOUR camera. Look for what is BEST for you.

I have had this happen more than once. Both accidental erasure and memory errors. Chances are you may be able to recover some of the photos. There is several File Recovery programs available. I use R-Studio. You could take the memory to you nearest BestBuy and have the Geek Squad see what they can recover.