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.
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