Buying Guide for Digital Cameras

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You would also want other features like zoom, flash, self-timer and so on.
If getting started with photography, visualize the kind of pictures you want to shoot that helps you in choosing the digital camera’s options wisely.
Given below are few tips for ordering the perfect one!

Points that I should remember while buying a digital camera

Buying a digital camera relates directly to and depends upon how you intend to use it.
Think whether you will view & share pictures on the computer or take prints, whether there are any specific features of your choice like powerful zoom or video-recording mode. Here are few features based on which you can decide on what to buy.

Resolution

The optical resolution or image quality should be considered when ordering a digital camera. Its resolution is determined by how many pixels it can capture horizontally & vertically, for instance 640x480.
More pixels ensure higher resolution & sharper images.
So, when enlarged, a digital photo will not lose image quality. Most of the camera’s resolution is measured in millions of pixels or mega pixels.
Low-end models feature 1.3 mega pixels while high-end models feature 3-4 mega pixels or more.
Models featuring less than 2 mega pixels are advisable for sharing pictures online.
1-2.9 mega pixels camera should be chosen to print color photos at the standard film sizes 4"x6" or 5"x7". In case of bigger prints as 8"x10", choose 3-3.9 mega pixels camera. If you need high quality images, buy ones with 4-5.9 mega pixels or more.

View finder & display

All low-end digital cameras provide an optical viewfinder where as expensive ones replaces it with a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
A digital camera’s integrated LCD screen’s size can range from 1.8-3.0 inches across the diagonal. Many cameras use the screen as viewfinder.
LCD can perform various functions other than working as a viewfinder.
After clicking a number of pictures, you can scroll through the shots taken & discard the needless ones.
A LCD displays shots as thumbnail sketches, which helps you find picture without having to scroll.
Camera allows direct download of pictures into printer where as LCD allows you to choose photos you want to print.
Choose a camera with both optical viewfinder & LCD. With viewfinder, you can frame shots and turn on the LCD only while viewing the pictures.
This will help you conserve battery power.

Focus

Generally, the cameras feature fixed or auto focus that suits an average user.
Fixed-focus lens camera is great for taking landscape pictures but a close shoot is not possible.
Auto focus lens brings everything in the centre of the viewfinder focus.
With it, point the viewfinder at an object, depress the shutter button half way to lock focus on the same.
Now, reframe the shot with the object anywhere you want.

Batteries

Digital cameras quickly chew up batteries when both LCD & flash are in use.
They suck a set of regular alkaline in just 15-20 minutes. So choose a camera accepting rechargeable batteries.
Four AA batteries are used in most of the cameras.
Three types of batteries are available for such cameras namely Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-ion (Li-ion or LiOn).
Ensure that you buy the proper kind since this camera accepts only one or two kinds of batteries.

When compared, NiCad batteries are widely used. A set of NiCad can be used for almost half an hour of intense operating time.
They get charged quickly and can be recharged for about 700 times.
Avoid any kind of memory effect by recharging the battery after it is drained completely.

A set of NiMH batteries last 30% longer on single charge than NiCad batteries.
It can be approximately used for an hour, but takes 16 hours minimum when recharged.
A set of Lithium batteries last twice as long on single charge than NiMH batteries, but they quickly drain when not in use.
Both NiMH & LiOn batteries can be recharged for about 400 times.
Save battery power by picking a camera that uses AC power adapter.

Zoom

There are two types of zoom - optical & digital. Both allow a closer view of the image before clicking its picture.
Though cameras use both types of zoom, pick the one with higher optical zoom for better image quality.

Optical zoom

A true zoom where the lens moves forward & backward, changing the magnification of the image while the resolution remains the same.
Magnification for this type of zoom lenses can range from 2X to 10X.
When choosing optical zoom, ensure that the viewfinder is coupled to the zoom. With this, you can view what you are shooting exactly.

Digital zoom

An artificial zoom where a fixed area of pixels is blown up that looks as if the camera has zoomed in on the subject.
It is similar to increasing an image size using computer software.

Memory

Most digital cameras use external memory for storing the pictures taken.
With such removable storage, you just have to insert a memory device card, shoot until the disk is full, download it in your computer and resume shooting.
Basically, cameras feature 8 to 16 MB memory card.
This can hold around 10 to 200 pictures depending on the resolution and compression settings.
Carrying an additional memory card is better to avoid the inconvenience of constant picture downloads to a PC.
There are a range of memory card formats like CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, SecureDigital, xD Picture Cards and so on.

CompactFlash & SmartMedia

These two are most popular forms of digital camera memory RAM cards. SmartMedia card voltages, 3.3V & 5V, sizing up to 128 MB. CompactFlash cards are durable & can store up to 512 MB.

Memory Stick & CD-R

This type of memory is used in Sony digital cameras, video recorders, voice recorders & personal digital assistants. Such memory sticks can store from 4-128 MB.
The adapters allow data transfer from sticks to computer through floppy disk drive, PC card port & so on.

Floppy Disks

Sony Mavica features the simplest storage system. It uses standard floppy disks for storing.
Even though Floppy disks make the camera heavier, they are available in abundance. They can store up to 1.44 MB.

A careful co-relation of the points above with what you are looking for in your digital cameras will help you make the right pick at Getprice!