As with any type of electronics, such as computer notebooks, printers, or a computer desktop, buying a digital camera presents you with a myriad of choices. Each digital camera manufacturer has more than a dozen offerings, ranging from the more basic "point and shoot" camera to the top of the line professional single lens reflex digital camera. So, it's important to consider a number of factors before you buy. Here's a primer to get you started.
Digital Camera Cost
Just a few years ago, inexpensive digital cameras had terrible optics and were an overall disappointment. Not anymore. Today, even a $149 camera has more features than a $799 camera had in the past. Of course, you can pay more than $10,000 for a camera, but for most casual photographers a camera under $500 will have everything you want and then some.
Megapixels
It wasn't that long ago that a three-mexapixel digital camera was considered state-of-the-art. Today, fairly basic consumer models are seven- or eight-megapixels, which allows you to considerably crop any photo and still get a high-quality print. For that reason, don't consider buying a camera that's less than five megapixels.
LCD Display
It may not seem like the most important part of a camera, but the size of the LCD display will make a big difference while you're shooting your photos. A two-inch LCD is great, but a three-inch is even better since you'll be able to see at a glance whether the photo you just took is fuzzy or if it's a keeper. Beyond size, make sure that the LCD display is clear in all lighting conditions - indoors, outdoors, and at night. If you can't see the photo you just took, it defeats the purpose of having a digital camera.
Shooting Modes
Many digital cameras offer a variety of shooting modes as well as manual settings. Many of the ultracompact consumer cameras, however, do not have manual overrides, and you must choose among the shooting modes provided. If you're in the market for a "point and shoot" digital camera, that's no problem. On the other hand, if you want to be able to change the aperture or shutter speed, make sure you buy a digital camera that allows you to do manual settings. Similarly, if you'll primarily use your camera in a specific environment (at sporting events, for example), make sure that the digital camera you select has that specific mode. Keep in mind that some digital cameras even have underwater capability or an "eBay" setting for taking photos of items you want to auction on eBay, so don't assume the way you'll use your camera is unique.
Storage Medium
Unfortunately, there's not an industry standard when it comes to storage cards. Make sure that you understand the type of film card your camera uses, and that you have a reader that will allow you to transfer your photos from your camera to your computer desktop or laptops. Alternately, many cameras come with software (usually on a DVD) that will allow you to plug your camera directly into your desktop or notebooks and upload your pictures.
After You Buy
Once you've purchased your digital camera, take time to practice and play with the various settings. It's often said that digital cameras are more like computer peripherals than cameras, so keep in mind that there may be a learning curve. Once you've mastered it, however, you'll be amazed at the enjoyment you'll get from your new purchase.
One of the top selling items on the market today is the digital camera. More and more people are taking pictures at every single type of situation possible. Take for example, countless kids are taking pictures at the most random events in order to put them on their myspace page. Pictures capture moments and preserve memories. So the real question is, what is the best digital camera to buy?
There are numerous digital cameras to buy all over the place. If you go to any store with a electronics department, you are bound to see a whole line up of different digital cameras promising the best quality. So what is it that you need to look for when selecting the best digital camera to buy? The big thing with digital cameras is mega pixels. The higher the mega pixel the digital camera has the better picture quality you will receive. This means that when you try and enlarge the picture, the resolution of the photo is going to be different with different mega pixel levels. If you have a one mega pixel camera, when enlarging the picture, the quality is going to quickly deteriorate. The opposite will occur with a digital camera with let´s say a seven mega pixel quality. Another thing to look for when selecting a digital camera to buy is the LCD screen. The better digital cameras will provide a LCD screen so you can frame your picture easier. Try and find a camera with a LCD screen about 2.5 inches or larger for maximum results. Also look for zoom strength when selecting a digital camera to buy. The best digital cameras will provide up to a 10x digital zoom for your convenience. These are just a few of the thing to look for when selecting a digital camera to buy.
Taking picture is a great way to capture moments that will stay with you forever. It is important to purchase the best digital camera in order to best save these moments. There are countless digital cameras out on the market, so do your research before choosing the one for you.
Both Chris Robertson & Fred Geraldsten are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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