How To Buy A Compact Digital Camera

Aug 26, 2010 by VegasKev

Buying An Affordable Compact Digital Camera

Have you decided to buy a digital camera or upgrade what you have but the selection of brands and models is so vast that making a choice seems to difficult to do?  Hopefully this article will help you make your decision.

The first step is to thoroughly decide on the main use of your new digital camera (vacation, special events, travel, work, details of life, everyday photography, etc.).  Also you’ll need to determine what size and weight is best for your needs (pocket digital camera, handbag, around your neck, etc.).  You’ll also need to be aware of the functions i.e. automatic or manual (for focusing, aperture, brightness, etc.).  As well, you need to consider what size photographs you’ll be printing; 3×5, 10×15, larger?  The larger the print, the more resolution you’ll be needing.

Those are some of the main factors that you’ll need to consider before even considering purchasing the best digital camera for your needs.

Digital Camera Features – Zoom, Wide, Resolution, Waterproof, Display Screen, Megapixel, Etc.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s go over a few more factors that you’ll need to consider when purchasing a digital camera.

1. What is the best digital camera for you?

These days you don’t want to confuse the term “inexpensive” as to mean “cheap” when it comes to a digital camera.  Often times you can find a cheap digital camera that is extremely suitable for your needs.  As long as the camera can produce a quality picture and has the features that you’ll be needing for the use that you are purchasing it for, you don’t necessarily have to go “all out” when purchasing the best camera for you.

2. What are the different characteristics in a digital camera?

There are several different characteristics in digital cameras.  In this short section of this article, we’ll be going over some of the more common characteristics of digital cameras that you need to concern yourself with when buying a digital camera.

-       Digital Camera Resolution: Photos from a digital camera are made by millions of dots (pixels) that are extremely close together.  For example: a 6 megapixel camera is really 6 million pixels.  Therefore it is safe to assume that a 10 megapixel camera will produce a higher quality picture, however, unless you are using a quality computer, printer, printer ink, and photograph paper to produce the printed picture from the camera, your photograph may not show much of a difference between the 6 and the 10 megapixel cameras.

-       Digital Camera Stabilizer: The idea of the digital camera stabilizer is to counteract any shaking of the hand from the photographer.  The difference in the digital camera stabilizers can make all the difference when being used by a photographer whom possesses unsteady hands.

-       Digital Camera Waterproof:  Waterproof digital cameras possess vital engineering for those whom will be taking pictures in wet weathers and potentially wet environments.  Typically waterproof digital cameras are a respectfully amount more in cost than non-waterproof cameras.

-       Digital Camera Zoom: Zoom is an important feature for almost anyone who plans on taking a picture.  Without a quality zoom feature on your digital camera, you may become displeased with your purchase quickly.  Make sure that the digital camera you choose has an adequate zoom feature.  For compact digital cameras, zoom designation typically refers to the ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths.  Basically, this means that a larger zoom doesn’t necessarily mean that the image can be magnified, as that particular zoom may just have a wider angle viewpoint when it is fully zoomed out).

-       Digital Camera Display Screen: A quality digital camera display screen should be large enough to be legible and be able to display some of the finer details of the picture.  One should stay away from display screens smaller than 2.5”.  This characteristic in digital cameras will usually fall under the “the bigger the better” adage.  You’ll also want to stay away from cameras whose screens darken or fade away when the screen is tilted slightly.

-       Digital Camera Video Resolution: You’ll want to look for a camera with a HD (High Definition) rating, as well as one with a rate of 24 frames per second.  This will give your footage smoothness.

-       Digital Camera Sensitivity: Your digital camera sensitivity is going to determine how well you can photograph in low light situations.  You’ll want to aim for a higher value on this characteristic for sure.

-       Digital Camera Photograph Format: Unless you are a professional or a budding amateur with aspirations beyond the occasional photography session, you’ll want to find a camera that saves the photos in a jpeg format.  This won’t be hard, as most digital cameras do so automatically these days.

3.  What accessories you should buy with your digital camera.

-       Memory Card: You’ll want to ensure that you purchase at least (1) extra 2GB (or greater) memory card.  The last thing you’ll want is to be in the middle of an important event or vacation and realize that you just ran out of room on the standard memory card that came with your camera.

-       Rechargeable Batteries:  If your camera does not come with internal rechargeable batteries, make sure that you purchase rechargeable batteries for it and a sufficient charger to go along with it.  This way, if you run out of juice, you can pop your spare set in the charger in a flash.