How to Choose the Best Point and Shoot Digital Camera

With the ever-increasing array of multi-use digital cameras available these days, it can be hard to know what features to look for when shopping for a simple point and shoot. If you want to save yourself some bucks while buying just what you need, read on.

Things You'll Need

• About $100
• Access to the Internet

Instructions

1. Buy a camera that has as few adjustable settings as possible. Unless you have a lot of experience with 35mm photography, having too many options can overwhelm you and may lead to missed or corrupted shots. Instead, look for simplicity of function and automated controls.

2. Price shop online before purchasing a camera. The amount of information a digital camera is able to store is measured in mega pixels, and high-end cameras may have high mega pixel capability and cost thousands of dollars. The average three pixel low end camera is capable of producing high-quality photographs and is really all most people need. You can get one of these for around $100.

3. Don’t buy a camera with features you don’t understand and can’t use. They cost more, and they will only confuse the novice shooter. Things like selective focusing grids and infra-red, pre-flash settings can actually get in the way of capturing your family’s magic moments, if you don’t understand how to use them. Keep it simple when buying a point and shoot.

4. Look for versatility if you plan on printing or uploading to various sources. Some cameras can plug directly into your printer or computer, and most also have storage cards. If you plan on using your camera for close-ups as well as long distance shots, it might be worth the extra bucks to invest in one that has a zoom lens. But since most computer photo software these days have a zoom function allowing you to magnify a portion of the photograph, the average snap shooter may not need a zoom function.

5. Ask the salesperson to put a charged battery inside the floor model of the camera so you can try it out in the store. Get the feel of shooting by practicing on the sales staff. Does the camera fit comfortably in your hand? Is there a wrist or neck strap to keep it from falling? Are the controls well-defined and easy to manipulate? After a few minutes, you should be able to tell if the camera's feel is right for you. If it feels good and the price is right, purchase the camera, and begin shooting.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy only what you need for the task at hand. Unless you're planning to print, the maximum resolution you'll need is 72 dpi--that's as many dots per inch as a computer screen has. Photos from expensive cameras and cheaper cameras look the same on screen. It's only in printing that higher resolution cameras are necessary for a sharper image.

• Always read the user's manual cover to cover when you purchase a new camera. Since digital photos are stored on tiny disks inside, it is possible to damage or delete images if you use the camera incorrectly. A little knowledge can save you a lot of heartache.