Choosing the right digital camera for general use can be more challenging than actually taking a good picture. Like all things technical, digital cameras come in a vast array of styles, sizes and abilities.
However, you don't have to research in great depth to make the right choice -- you need only know what you want your camera to do for you. You'll need to consider your own skills, your budget and how you will use your photographs.
Regarding your skill level, first consider your willingness to learn the technicalities of photography. Do you simply want to point and shoot? If so, there are plenty of automatic cameras made to do just that.
Or, do you want to be creative -- experimenting with self-timers, flash, shutter speed, lighting, and photo enhancement features? To fulfill these creative desires, you'll need a camera with a full range of manual controls.
Of course, with the hundreds of digital cameras that are on the shelves, you don't have to make a commitment -- many cameras have both automatic and manual settings. It all depends on what you want to spend.
Speaking of budget, you should know what you want to spend before you shop online or in a store. Then, only look at the cameras that match the amount that you came up with -- it will keep you from suffering buyer's remorse later.
In addition to your skill and your budget, consider how you will use the camera. Are you planning to email more pictures than you plan to print? Are you uploading them for online auctions or to share with your best friend who lives miles away? If so, carefully consider whether the pictures need to last for the next 100 years, or just until your online auction expires or your friend gets a chance to take a look at them.
If you are looking for professionally finished prints, brilliant color and a sharp image, you will need a camera with high image quality. The quality of an image is directly related to how many pixels it can capture horizontally and vertically. To print quality standard sized photos that will last, you'll need a minimum of a 1-2 megapixel digital camera. Larger photos will require 3 megapixels to get the same quality. With at least 4 megapixels, 11 x 14 enlargements will look sharp.
Zoom lenses can also play a key role in the appearance of your photos. Many cameras will have zooms, but the size and type of zoom are important to consider. The larger the zoom (a 3x would be average and 10x large), the closer you will be able to get to subjects like sporting events and wildlife. But for good quality photos, be sure the camera has a true optical zoom rather than a digital zoom, which merely enlarges the center of the basic image.
Also, be aware that not all cameras with the same megapixels are created equal. Some have better optics and better zoom lenses. Some have more features such as the ability to make short videos. Some have better LCD screens for reviewing photos. Some have batteries that are proprietary and expensive to replace. Some are more prone to needing repairs.
So before heading to the store or to your favorite online site, check out the reviews for the models that interest you. Simply state your need at a search engine -- something like 4 megapixel digital camera+review.
There is no need to spend hours researching every term and every available feature. Simply familiarize yourself with basic terminology, know your needs and know which models have the best ratings in your price range. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be more satisfied with your investment.
About The Author
Todd Nelson is webmaster at Triple Exposure Photography. Visit http://www.tephotography.com for the large photography resources or to register for the free Photo Age newsletter.
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..Started in a single-room by three Japanese men in the... Read More
How many people have pictures in a shoe box? In... Read More
There are major obstacles to overcome to get into nude... Read More
Probably one of the most common problems you will be... Read More
Ordinary photos of dull subjects do actually sell, but the... Read More
Elephants in the Sky[1980s, Lee Evens in Mali, Timbuktu/Africa]Advance: Lee... Read More
There are also some excellent online courses available and some... Read More
Most serious photographers and all professionals use a Single Lens... Read More
Photography with the aid of a digital camera is beyond... Read More
A common problem with old photos is that they often... Read More
Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More
It doesn't matter if your emailing photos of your grandson... Read More
Most digital cameras today boast of greater resolution and picture... Read More
Several years ago, I met a fellow photographer - albeit,... Read More
Demystifying Digital Camera JargonWant to buy a digital camera but... Read More
Quality digital cameras are becoming affordable for just about everyone... Read More
At a Photo Club meeting I attended recently, the President... Read More
The digital camera is not something of a magic box... Read More
You are anxious to purchase your new digital camera! You... Read More
There are two sources for obtaining the moulding for making... Read More
So you have this great digital camera and you've taken... Read More
The path to picking a digital camera usually leads to... Read More
With such a fantastic device as the digital camera for... Read More
Some compact cameras are small enough to fit in your... Read More
Have you read the manual that came with your digital... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..There are way too many tape, disk and stick formats... Read More
Youv'e taken that perfect photo in the perfect light at... Read More
Tight BudgetsTight budgets are common these days. But the demand... Read More
George Eastman, founder of Kodak is world renowned today. Digital... Read More
Started in a single-room by three Japanese men in the... Read More
Portrait is defined as, "A likeness of a person, especially... Read More
Candid photography is photography that focuses on spontaneity rather than... Read More
About Personalized Photo Calendars:Photo Calendars are 12-month, wall-hanging calendars that... Read More
Before you are able to take the kind of photos... Read More
There are many different types of photography. You can take... Read More
Here's the challenge. You have to photograph small items for... Read More
When buying a digital camera there are many things you... Read More
There's so much you can do with an underwater video... Read More
One of the major problems of the larger cities of... Read More
Imagine taking your new digital camera on a vacation and... Read More
Do you like to take photos? Are you always standing... Read More
So you recently bought a digital camera or perhaps your... Read More
There are a large number of digital camera accessories available... Read More
If you have hopes of becoming a professional photographer, or... Read More
I've been practising wildlife photography on safari for over twenty... Read More
Every Mom wants to take great photos of their babies... Read More
A few years ago I became interested in digital photography,... Read More
Some compact cameras are small enough to fit in your... Read More
We all love our animals. They do such funny, adorable,... Read More
Shopping for a new digital camera can be quite frustrating... Read More
Photography |