Having trouble choosing a digital camera? This article presents all of the things that you should consider before you spend your hard-earned money.
We all know that having great pictures of our lives adds so much to our memories of wonderful events that have happened. Sites such as Facebook and MySpace are great social networking tools, but, in reality, most people visit these sites to look at the latest pictures of themselves and their friends. The value of having a great camera cannot be underestimated.
The first question that you must ask is: Should I upgrade? You probably already have a digital camera. It might be a little older and more bulky than the current digital camera offerings. With new digital cameras coming out everyday, you have certainly wondered whether you should keep your existing camera or upgrade to a new, sleek model.
Let’s look at the facts that you should consider.
The first thing everyone looks at in a digital camera is the number of megapixels. In all probability, your camera does not have as many megapixels as the new ones on the market today. You may have 5 or 3.2 megapixels in your existing camera while most of the new digital cameras have 8, 10, or even 12 megapixels.
We need to ask: Is this important?
The answer is yes, especially if you want to print your photos. For instance, your older 3.2 megapixel camera can produce decent 4X6 photos but as you increase the size that you want to print, the quality will diminish. New cameras of 8 megapixels or more can print just about any size photos. When you have more than 8 megapixels, the camera lens usually becomes the limitation.
If you are an amateur photographer, you want to take note of the optical zoom of the lens. (You will often see a “digital zoom” specified in advertisements but this is not important.) Your old digital camera probably has unsatisfactory optical zoom. To me, optical zoom is very important as it allows you to take great pictures at greater distances. The minimum standard now-a-days is 3X optical zoom, but I would suggest looking for cameras that have a greater number, such as 4X or 5X optical zoom.
One factor that is often overlooked is the portability of the camera. We are able to take so many pictures today because cameras are so small and portable. If you would like to take pictures anywhere, you must have your camera with you at all times. Ask the question: Will it fit easily in my pocket or purse? Today, you do not have to sacrifice quality just because you want a small camera.
Perhaps the most important consideration in your purchase is the viewing screen. Why? Well, a good portion of the fun with new digital cameras is the ability to look at the photo immediately after you take it. For this, you need to have a great LCD screen on the camera. If you are unable to look at a camera before you purchase it, pay particular attention to what people say about the viewing area. Is it large enough? Does it have a bright LCD so that you can view the pictures in the daytime or nighttime?
So what would be my suggestions? There are currently two new Canon cameras on the market that meet the criteria above. First, is the PowerShot SD780IS. It meets all of our criteria above and is probably the most stylish point and shoot camera that you can currently buy. And secondly, I would point out the Powershot SD880IS. It too meets our guidelines for quality and portability and comes with a 4X stabilized zoom, allowing great pictures from afar.
If you look at these criteria–megapixels, zoom, portability, and quality of the viewfinder–you will always choose wisely. Finally, if you are buying online, be sure to read all the reviews of others to ensure that they are satisfied with their new digital camera.
Richard Mas is a retailing specialist and contributor to the best digital camera list online. He is also senior editor for The Christmas Store Online, where you can find all the Best Christmas Gifts.
