How to Choose a Digital Camera

Digital cameras cost more out of the box than regular cameras, but offer the convenience of immediate viewing, multiple image storage, computer connectivity - and there's no film to develop.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Digital Camera Memory Cards
• Digital Cameras

1. Buy the camera with the highest resolution you can afford, at least 2 to 3 megapixels (2 million to 3 million pixels), if possible.

2. Look for a 100 percent glass lens as opposed to a plastic one.

3. Buy a camera with as much RAM as you can afford. More RAM means the camera can store more pictures, so you won't need to download or erase them as often.

4. Expect zoom to be the feature you will use most. Compare optical, as opposed to digital, zoom capabilities.

5. Compare flash modes, if any.

6. Investigate viewfinders: Look for an optical (through-the-lens) viewfinder as well as an LCD display.

7. Consider autofocus and macro features, shutter-release lag times, and bundled software.

8. Compare additional features you might want: interchangeable lenses, steady-shot, burst mode, auto exposure, automatic white balance, voice memo, variable shutter speeds, manual focus and self-timer.

9. Compare removable media of various types (if you need more storage space for your photos).

10. Investigate batteries, chargers and battery-saving features.

11. Look for additional features you might need, such as USB or IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connectivity (to connect the camera to the appropriate port on your computer), a battery-time-remaining indicator, an AC adapter or video-out connections for outputting to a television.

Tips & Warnings

• If you will only output pictures to a computer monitor (for viewing, Web page use or e-mail), an inexpensive digital camera with a 640-by-480 pixel resolution will provide very satisfactory results.
• If you plan to print photographs on a good (at least 720 dots per inch) color printer, look for a high-resolution camera.
• Beware of high-resolution cameras with low prices. The specified resolution may only apply to software interpolation rather than true optical resolution.
• If you do buy a low-priced camera, make sure it has a charge-coupled device (CCD).
• To compensate for low profit margins and high return rates, some retailers and Internet vendors have restrictive return policies that may include "restocking" fees. Check these out before you buy.

[liljdy84]

on 10/14/2009 Yay Thank you I wrote down all the things I need to ask, your article was very helpful.

[cameraman79]

on 7/18/2009 Also, try using a camera price comparison website to get the best price for the model you choose. A good one is http://www.candidaboutcameras.co.uk

[daydreamgalaxy]

on 7/15/2009 Thanks for the article! 5*s and Rec.

[onondaga]

on 7/12/2009 My English teacher said, "Be not the first by whom the new is tried, nor the last to lay the old aside." It's time. Thanks for posting this article.

[theperfectfit]

on 12/30/2008 Excellent article and comments from the readers. One suggestion that I have is to take a look on QVC.com and HSN.com. With their return policy of 30 days, I was able to try three different models so that I could take my pick. You don't know a camera until you use it.
Five Stars. Happy New Year!