Digital Camera Buying Tips

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 Tips for Buying Digital Cameras

• Price - Digital cameras are generally more expensive than a tradional film camera, but you will save in the long run by eliminating the film and developing costs. The price for digital cameras begins around $100 for snapshot models and go up to $10,000 or more for professional models. The average consumer who wants to play around and experiment with a new digital camera can purchase a point-and-shoot camera with good image quality and a few options for under $600. Much of the cost of the more expensive digital cameras is in the amount of extra features which most of us won't probably use anyway.



• Amateur photographers, who are more interested in image quality, will need more manual controls like focus, shutter speed and exposure. Digital cameras for the more serious amateur photographer will cost from $750 to $2000. Professional photographers will need a digital camera that provides flexibility and control of a traditional camera. These kinds of digital cameras are quite pricey, starting at about $2000.



• Unless you're a professional photographer, a digital camera that has lots of modes and settings will be too much. Such digital cameras are expensive and more difficult to use. Remember the KISS principle - Keep It Simple, Stupid!



• Choose a digital camera with a resolution that meets your largest desired print size. In most cases a 3 megapixel digital camera will give you the best value.



• Make sure the digital camera comes with all the features and accessories you need, such as removable memory, flash, manual controls and zoom lens.



• When comparing digital camera prices, remember to add up all the extra components that may or may not be included, such as rechargeable batteries, an AC adapter, a larger memory card and a carrying case.



• Determine how fast the camera shoots pictures. You'll be unhappy with a digital camera that takes more than 4 seconds to boot up or longer than 6 seconds to let you shoot again.



• Simplify the image-transfer process by selecting a digital camera that comes with a USB interface or can be used with a camera dock or both.



• If you need a digital camera with a zoom lens, the optical zoom is more important than the digital zoom. Digital zoom is actually a software function that involves cropping and magnifying an image and really does not zoom in on the subject.



• If you wear eyeglasses, be sure that the digital camera has a focusable diopter in the optical viewfinder. This allows you to adjust the focus of the viewfinder and see your subject more clearly.

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