Buying a Digital Camera

Buying a digital camera to get started in the world of digital photography or to replace your old camera? Read tips on getting the best digital camera for your money.

#1: Set a Budget Before Buying
Budget yourself when purchasing a digital camera.

#2: Ignore Digital Zoom
When buying digital cameras, concentrate on optical zoom, not digital zoom.

#3: Small Doesn't Mean Underpowered
Small digital cameras may be exactly what you need. Small cameras may not have as many features as digital SLRs and high-end prosumer digital cameras, but their megapixel resolutions are matching, and sometimes beating, their higher-priced alternatives! Plus, they are easier to transport long distances, less bulky to carry with you on trips, and less conspicuous.

#4: Be Careful When Buying Package Deals
Digital camera package deals may be too good to be true - or a real bargain!

#5: Get a Camera with Magnified Photo Previews
Magnified photo previews can help determine the sharpness of a digital photo.

#6: Don't Expect a Camera to Come with Enough Media
When you purchase a digital camera, unless it happens to be a package deal, don't expect the camera to come with enough media to handle your photography needs. Nowadays, most digital cameras, if they come with any media at all, will only be packaged with a 32MB 128 MB card. Though that used to be enough memory for a couple dozen pictures, high megapixel photos in fine, very fine, or raw detail can eat up that memory in just one or two photos. Prepare to spend money on at least one extra media card.

#7: What to Look for to Take Night Photography
Helpful features some digital cameras provide to take better night photos.

#8: Don't Get Caught Up in Megapixels
More megapixels do not always equal clearer photos. Not just the number of megapixels, but the quality of the megapixels matter as well. For example, most digital camera image sensor pixels can only detect just a particular area's redness, blueness, or greenness, but not all three.

#9: Consider the Total Cost of Ownership
You won't just be purchasing a digital camera - you may need to buy accessories.

#10: Pre-Programmed Scene Modes May Help
Scene modes make it easier to take digital camera photos in tough lighting conditions.

#11: Does Flash Come with an SLR?
Consider the total cost of ownership when purchasing a digital SLR.

#12: How Much Optical Zoom is Needed?
Do you require a digital camera with 6x optical zoom, or is 2x or 3x enough?

#13: Where is the Tripod Socket?
Make sure when purchasing a digital camera that it fits well on a tripod.

#14: Digital Camera Reviews
Links to websites offering reviews of specific digital cameras. You might want to compare between a Canon PowerShot A530 and a Nikon COOLPIX L4. You can easily read reviews online and compare between the two.

#15: More Control May Cost You
To set manual exposure, you might need a more-expensive camera.

#16: Look for ISO 50 Support
Look for digital cameras with ISO 50 support for crisper, cleaner images.