How to Select a Digital Camera that is Right For You

Choose a camera with features to enhance your subjects.

Camera features garnering a perfect rating from your neighbor might not resemble the bells and whistles you've always dreamed about. When shopping for a digital camera, keep your reasons for using the camera in mind. If your main subject includes kids playing sports, choose a camera with extensive zoom capabilities. If you take detailed shots of tiny objects, such as stamps, pick a camera with macro functions. Before heading to the store, make a list of preferred camera capabilities. This will help sales staff guide you to a camera that best suits your personal needs.

Instructions

1. Choose a camera with optical zoom exceeding a 3x rating. Or, pick a camera with the option to use interchangeable lenses if you take pictures of subjects at a distance. Reduce useless background by using zoom or a telephoto lens attachment when traveling, photographing sports or to capture close-up pictures.

2. Select a camera with a water-resistant surface if you go boating, fishing, swimming or partake in other water activities. Some cameras come with an optional underwater-housing accessory, perfect for photographers who dive, snorkel or surf.

3. Pick a camera with a megapixel rating high enough to facilitate your photo output needs. Scrapbooking, cropping and enlarging photos works best when using a camera with a high resolution. Choose a 5MP camera or larger when routinely cropping more than half of your image for scrapbooking or making prints larger than 8 inches by 10 inches.

4. Get a camera with creative features if you love to express your artistic side. Choose a camera with spot-color options, black and white settings or the option to print a photo in sepia brown-tone. More creative features include panoramic stitching and the ability to isolate still photos from video clips captured by the digital camera.

5. Choose a camera with modes that mirror your favorite subjects. Kids and pets mode offers a fast shutter speed to capture fast-paced children and critters. Winter scene mode makes it easy to properly expose snowy white scenes during sunny weather.

6. Pick a camera that fits you physically. Choose a camera with a padded eyecup if you wear glasses or large buttons if you have wide fingers. Some cameras have side grips to make them bulkier and easy to hold. Or, choose a slender camera that fits in a shirt pocket.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer to use automatic settings, don't buy an expensive camera with manual controls that you won't use. Cameras loaded with features do not produce a better image quality than simple cameras -- when both cameras have the same megapixel rating.

• Ask about digital camera return policies before making a purchase. Make sure you can return or exchange it for another model if the camera doesn't feel right for you.

References

• "Consumer Reports": Digital Camera Guide

Resources

• "PCWorld"; How to Buy a Digital Camera; Tim Moynihan; February 2011