When it comes to buying a digital camera, it's easy to get confused as there are so many options. Fear not. We're here to help. This guide will help you make a purchasing decision based on the specifications you'll need to examine closely (and the specs you can basically ignore) before you fork out your hard-earned cash.
Digital camera buyers' guide
Gone are the "megapixel wars" of recent years; it's hard to find a new camera with anything less than a 10-megapixel sensor. Instead, we're seeing a different kind of battle nowadays: manufacturers are building specialized cameras for different types of shooters.
Between feature-loaded cameras under £200, ruggedized point-and-shoots, high-zoom pocket cameras, hybrid still-and-video cameras, interchangeable-lens compact cameras, and full-fledged DSLRs, your options are growing – and getting a lot more confusing.
This Digital Camera Buying Guide will help you make a purchasing decision based on the specs you'll need to examine closely (and the specs you can basically ignore) before you fork over your hard-earned cash.
Choosing the right Digital Camera
If you're having a hard time figuring out which camera to buy, you may be tempted to make a decision based solely on megapixel count.
However, outside of making huge prints or blowing up small portions of an image, megapixels can be meaningless. In fact, a high megapixel count can lead to noisier, less-sharp images unless you're using a camera with a larger image sensor (such as a DSLR or a compact interchangeable-lens camera).
Other features are often more important, and they depend on what you'll be using the camera for.
For example, a lethargic camera that takes too much time between shots is a lemon for sports or action photographers, and a big, heavy DSLR that takes amazing photos may spend more time on the shelf than in your carry-on bag.
A camera with no manual controls may take fabulous shots in bright sunlight, but lousy ones in more challenging situations.
Starting at the top of the photographic food chain, here are the pros and cons of each type of camera.
Digital SLR (DSLR) Camera
Strengths: Superb photos, videos, and low-light shooting; no shutter lag; versatile interchangeable lenses; manual controls for exposure and focus; through-the-lens optical viewfinder
Weaknesses: Expensive; lack of portability; not all DSLRs shoot video; can be complex and intimidating
If money's no object and performance is your top priority, a digital SLR camera yields the best photo quality and imaging controls of any type of digital camera.
The combination of a large sensor, high-quality lenses that you can swap out to achieve a wide range of effects, great high-ISO performance in low light, and lightning-quick shutter response times make it the go-to camera for hobbyists and pro shooters.
A DSLR is also the only type of camera that lets you frame shots using a through-the-lens optical viewfinder, meaning that what you'll see through the eyepiece is a true-to-life representation of your shot.
Though the prospect of using a DSLR can be intimidating for novice users, most modern models are outfitted with point-and-shoot-like features and LCD-based viewfinders to make the migration easier.
Beyond user-friendly auto-exposure and scene modes, you also get room to grow as a photographer due to a DSLR's full range of manual controls.
The only major drawback to a DSLR is its size, which makes it a tough camera to bring anywhere you go. Price is also a major consideration, even after you spend an initial £500 to several-thousand dollars on the camera body alone.
Additional lenses are a must when it comes to unleashing the full power of your DSLR, and they usually cost several hundred pounds a pop (at least).
If you're interested in shooting video, make sure your DSLR supports it; these cameras capture stunning HD video, but only the newest DSLRs are video-capable.
NEXT PAGE: Compact interchangeable lens cameras
Comments
NOEL HARGOOD said: This subject should really start with How much money do you want to spend and then do you want a pocketable instant camera to take candid shots or an SLR which makes the subject either hide or pose as you pick it up unless you have a big telephoto lens shooting at a distanceI do so hope that j acker is pessimistic when he says that movies on a still camera is not practicable I have just bought a Canon Powershot S95 which this magazine said that the video mode was better than some dedicated movie cameras and it does zoom while filmingBut I am talking at the budget end of the spectrumTo complement it or to give it a fighting chance I have bought a Sandisk Extreme Pro HC 45Mbs card also reviewed here so here goes I will be exercising it when I have assimilated a couple of hundred pages of instructions which only comes on the CDBut it will be Auto mode for a start
j.acker@virginmedia.com said: A lot of good advice as far as I am concerned but if you want video buy a video camera Do not think of using a camera that claims to do both One thing with this latter you have to view the scene through a screen which is virtually impossible in bright sunlight It is essential you are able to view through the camera for filming particularly country scenery Secondly you will find you cannot zoom while actually filming At least this has been my experience when I bought a Pentax K-x A mistake I am still bitterly regretting
Matt Egan - Editor said: Hi jayprime - Im not sure I entirely accept your criticism in this case What weve attempted to do is give you all the information you need to choose the right camera for your needs and budget - breaking down the all-important specifications so you can make a informed purchasing decision Im sorry you dont feel this is useful for you That said I really like your idea of interactive multiple choice questions and thats something we should look into doing Thanks for your comment
jayprime said: How to choose the right digital cameraSorry no More a case of What to look for in a digital cameraIf it really aimed to be How to choose the right digital camera it would have an interactive series of multiple option questions leading to a final list of two or three cameras that best fit the stated needs of the readerRepeatedly I find that PC ADVISOR does NOT do what it says on the tin rarely giving advice that I as a complete novice can act on without going to several other sources of information