What To Know Before Choosing A Digital Camera

Author:Devin Atwood People who never thought they could take good pictures are surprising themselves with their skills, thanks to the advent of the digital camera. Where once you had a handful of choices, you now must decide between hundreds of cameras with capabilities and terms you may have never heard of. By taking stock of your particular situation and what you really need, you can determine which camera is right for you.

Before you invest in a camera, make a list of the must-have features that you are looking for in your camera. The list should be exhaustive to include the basic functionality as well as the specific features that you wish to have.

Ponder several issues prior to purchasing a camera. Are you going to be using the camera when it's dark outside or are you going to need it primarily during the day? Are you taking pictures of nature or of your family in your house? Will your images be still or in motion? All of these issues are important to consider because you will need a camera with the right capabilities for your actual usage.

You should also know how big of a camera you want. Small pocket-sized cameras are ideal for some occasions such as picnics, group outings, weddings, and get-together celebrations. However, the bulky cameras offer more features that are not available in small sized cameras.

Unfortunately, cost is often the limiting factor in purchasing a camera. Realistically look over your budget to determine how much you can afford.

If you can manage to pay for a complex camera, but cannot afford the necessary lenses and accessories to maximize its features, that expensive camera will be limited in its abilities. You will of course, get more features with the more expensive cameras, but why spend a fortune on the camera if you won't use those features? Cameras on the cheaper end of the spectrum come with more features than they used to; however, you need to be sure a cheaper camera is going to do what you want it to do.

You will have to find the camera with the right features at the right price for it to be a worthwhile investment. If you plan to pursue photography as a serious hobby, allow room for growth of your skills and an increase in your demands on the camera.

The resolution of your pictures, which measures the megapixels in a camera, is an important technical consideration. The majority of standard cameras currently available provide a resolution of between three and five megapixels; however, the better cameras can have even higher options. If you intend to print photos that are 8x10 in size, choose a camera with at least three megapixels, although four or five would be better. Of course if you plan to further blow up your images, then you will need a camera with more megapixels. The main benefit of enlarging is cropping pictures. Therefore, if you often take distance shots which you would prefer to view up close, consider a higher resolution for better enlarging and cropping capabilities. If photography is not your profession, then you should be able to meet your needs with a four or five megapixel camera.

The optical zoom feature of a camera is also a deal-maker or breaker. The digital zoom, on the other hand, is just a selling ploy and should be ignored. The zoom feature is what makes a subject appear closer or bigger than it really is. A common zoom is 3X, indicating that the image will appear three times larger, or closer, depending on your terminology. Some cameras can increase a subject by as much as 10 times through a zoomed lens. Zoom capabilities are necessary for people who take pictures from a relatively large distance and still want crisp results. There are some cameras that are on the expensive end that allow you to change out lenses to get the exact amount of zoom you need. These are ideal for people who photograph subjects from a distance for a living.

You should research well and read a bit on digital cameras and their features if you wish to make a wise purchase. Reading the opinions of other owners can give you a great idea as to which cameras are best for which purposes. Asking for advice from photography enthusiasts will also help. Ultimately, by understanding the features of each camera and how it fulfills your needs, you will be able to make a final choice that you can be happy with.