With the current trend of sharing memories digitally, even the non-tech savvy are interested in digital photography. Choosing the correct digital camera can be daunting. Hopefully this small guide can help minimize the task.
Budget is the foremost consideration when choosing a digital camera. A budget of $150 to $300 should suffice for simple snapshot cameras. Cameras in this price range should do well for general photography at the cost of the manual features of more expensive cameras.
Memory should also be a consideration in the budget. Most cameras come with very little built-in memory that can only hold a few photographs. An extra card will be necessary to completely hold all of those future MySpace slideshows.
Digital cameras drain batteries quickly when using flash and previewing photographs. Check the camera to see if it supports regular AA’s, rechargeable AA’s, or has a special type of battery.
Cameras that accept AA’s are more convenient but can cost more in spent batteries. The best option is to find a camera that supports AA NiMH rechargeable batteries. It gives the flexibility of having regular AA’s if the rechargeable batteries run out while on the go.
Cameras with a proprietary battery type will cost more in accessories. The extra batteries can cost anywhere between $20 and $50, which can take away from the budget. A charging station with four rechargeable batteries costs around $12-$20. Investing in a rechargeable solution can last through most new digital camera purchases.
A higher megapixel rate does not mean a better image. Most cameras will tout the amount of megapixels, but this only illustrates the size of the image. The sensor inside the camera determines image quality.
A sensor is what tells the camera how to process colors. The majority of cameras will have a Charge-Coupled Device or CCD sensor. There are newer technologies such as Foveon that improve the sensors ability to separate colors, but a CCD should be fine for snapshots.
Cameras often have a relatively high zoom rating. This number can be misleading. Manufacturers reach this number through a combination of digital and optical zoom. This requires the consumer to look farther for the real zoom – optical.
Optical zoom is the true ability of a camera to get closer to a subject. Digital zoom is an interpolation of an image that results in fuzzy photographs. Most of the entry-level digital cameras will only have 3x or 4x optical zoom, which should be fine for most applications.
Image stabilization is featured on some newer cameras. Stabilization allows those with unsteady hands to get the perfect picture without a blur. It also helps get those unexpected action shots.
Start-up time is often overlooked when choosing a digital camera. This measure dictates how long it takes for a camera to go from being completely off, to ready to take a picture. A fast start-up time is a must for people who take fast photographs of those must-have moments.
Digital camera buying can be overwhelming but having a bit of knowledge before facing a salesman can help. The world of digital photography is filled with acronyms and words that can confuse even the most technical buyers. Hopefully this guide has helped disseminate some of the confusion.

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