Well, I started out using my digital camera as well but a friend of mine gave me a scanner he no longer needed and that has worked very well for me. So, if you have a scanner, that is probably the best.

If you have to use your camera I think the main thing you want to pay attention to is the number of pixels your shots are being taken in. Then make sure the document you are importing it to is the same. (I'm guessing this is the what caused "the images is not the same as a canvas"?)

Oh, and welcome to the guild.