The emergence of digital imaging technology and the Internet has transformed the art of photography. Where previously you'd need to lug a supply of film along for any photo project and then go through the tedious process of rewinding and reloading film rolls, you can now store hundreds of digital photos on a single compact memory card. And while with film cameras you never knew whether your photos were any good until you developed your film, digital cameras provide instant previews of every photo, so you can quickly and easily delete the images that didn't turn out right. No more wasted rolls of film and wasted money spent to develop photos you took with the lens cap on or with the flash off.

If you're shopping for a digital camera, there's no reason to compromise on quality - excellent models are available for very reasonable prices. Start your search by comparing cameras from such leading manufacturers as Canon, Nikon, Kodak, Olympus and Sony. Remember that a used camera in good condition might work just as well as a brand-new one, and at a much better price. If you're willing to purchase a pre-owned camera, you'll want keep an eye on the latest listings at eBay for the widest selection and best prices on used and refurbished digital cameras.

One of the most popular varieties of digital camera is identified by the acronym "SLR". This stands for the phrase "single lens reflex", a design which allows the photographer to view the precise image captured by the photographic lens, rather than an approximation seen through a separate viewfinder. The SLR digital camera design is preferred by most professional photographers and offers a number of other advantages, including the ability to easily switch lenses depending on the subject matter being photographed, a larger digital sensor size yielding higher-resolution images, and better depth-of-field control than non-SLR models.

Both SLR and non-SLR cameras offer an array of advanced digital and optical features to make photography easier. Built-in zoom lenses allow you to capture close-up images of distant objects. Autofocus technology handles all the image focusing at the push of a button, without any need to manually adjust the lens settings. Automatic light meters and flash bulbs make sure there's sufficient light for the best photo quality. Image stabilization lets you take longer exposures without the need for a tripod. And the list goes on...but it's still up to you to find interesting subjects to photograph!

Once you've chosen the camera best suited to your photography needs, you should have no trouble finding a great deal at shopping sites like Amazon and eBay. With no shortage of reliable online merchants to choose from, your new digital camera is just a few clicks away!