1- general things to look for 2- camera brands 3- accessories 4- finding reviews and the best prices 5- conclusions
Digital Camera Buying Tips
by Mig P.
Why have I written this? Because so many people kept saying to me, "I want to get a digital camera. What do you recommend?" I kept telling them the same things over and over again. So eventually, my emailed tips turned into the document you read here. There are many potential pitfalls when buying a digital camera, and I can't stand to see people spend a lot of money on the wrong thing, only to get frustrated.
How to read this: This
was designed to be read all the way through from beginning to end... sort
of a one-stop-shop for EVERYTHING, and includes a lot of tips that no other
available resource will give you. Why is this? Because these are tips based
on actual experience. I deal with the things every single day at my job. Yes,
I get wordy sometimes, but hopefully it's all good information.
If you already know what make/model of camera
you want to buy, then you can skip ahead to section four... although I recommend
that you read the rest anyway. :)
Content: please feel free to pass along the link of this site to anybody that might benefit from it. But please check with me before using this content anywhere. I welcome all feedback, so feel free to drop me a line!!
With that... here we go!
GENERAL THINGS WHEN LOOKING FOR A DIGICAM
Buying a digital camera is not at all easy. There are so many variables!
When you buy a film camera, there are only two variables: how big or small the camera is; and how good the pictures turn out. But when you buy a digicam, you also have to consider a whole bunch of other things: resolution; memory format; battery life; the user interface/menus, etc. So it takes more research-but if you do this research, you will be VERY happy with your purchase! Digicams are so much fun that once you use one, you won't ever want to go back to film again.
RESOLUTION
The single most important factor in determining how your prints will turn out
is the camera's resolution. 1-Megapixel cameras can print up to a 5x7, but can't
really print an 8x10 well. 3-Megapixel cameras have been on the market for about
a year; this is more resolution than the average person needs though. You should
get at least a 2-mp camera. 3-mp cameras are only *necessary* if you are going
to consistently print larger than 8x10. (Which you probably won't.) But a lot
of the new 3-mp cameras have some pretty cool features.
4-mp cameras are usually not worth the trouble or money. They are
only useful if you are going to be consistently printing 11x14 or larger; and
the extra megapixel makes for a much larger file size (which greatly adds to
the difficulty when trying to upload or email photos.)
Bottom line: get a 2-megapixel or 3-megapixel camera, unless you have an actual reason to get more.
CAMERA FORMAT AND MEMORY CARDS
For a long time, Sony made floppy-disk cameras. I don't think they do any more.
I am personally NOT a fan of them, for a number of reasons. The secondary reason
is that it is slower to write to floppies. (It is much faster to write to a
picture card.) The main reason I don't like floppy-disk cameras, though, is
this: you can't fit very many pictures on a floppy!
If you take pictures at a decent resolution, then you can only fit two or three
on a floppy. So if you go on vacation, you have to bring dozens of floppies,
label them, etc. Just horribly, horribly inconvenient.
These cameras are promoted as being convenient, but I don't think they are!
I think these things are now extinct, which is good.
There are two (or maybe three) main kinds of picture cards: CompactFlash, and Smart Media. They are both about the same size, and both work the same. Different camera lines use different formats. For instance, Olympus uses Smart Media, while Canon and Kodak use CompactFlash.
There is a third format that is becoming more common— the Sony Memory
Stick. The advantage of the memory stick: it works with *any* Sony equipment.
You can swap it from your camera, to your computer, to your MP3 player, etc.
The disadvantage of the memory stick: you can *only* use it with Sony equipment.
When Memory Sticks first came out about two years ago, I had my doubts about
them. Mostly because of their proprietary, only-works-with-Sony format. (Can
you say 'Betamax'?) Since then, they have become somewhat commonplace, and the
format probably isn't in any danger of going away. It's common enough that last
year I almost got a camera that uses them. Although in terms of cost per megabyte
of storage, they're still a fair bit more expensive than either Smart Media
or CompactFlash.)
One more advantage of picture cards over floppies: they are almost indestructible. (Especially CompactFlash cards, they withstand a lot of abuse!)
OTHER FEATURES
The two things mentioned above (resolution and memory format) are the most
important things. Other features-zoom lenses, video-recording capability, etc.
— are secondary. If you are interested in a zoom lens, only pay attention
to what the "optical zoom" is (e.g. 2x or 3x). Ignore any claims about
a "digital zoom"— what that is, is taking the optical zoom, and
magnifying part of it. (And therefore losing some quality.)
Video recording is kind of a fun feature, but isn't necessary. Most digicams
will only record video at extremely low resolution (so it will be very small
on your computer screen). Additionally, they can usually only record a few seconds.
Plus this drains batteries REALLY quickly. So when looking for digicams, treat
video capability as a fun extra perk— but don't treat it as a feature that
should really receive major consideration. (Especially if the camera will record
video but not with sound— how fun could that possibly be?)
Ready for more? Then go to Page 2 to read about the pros and cons of various camera manufacturers.
1- general things to look for 2- camera brands 3- accessories 4- finding reviews and the best prices 5- conclusions