Digital camera buyers' guide
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 shopping tips
Here are our recommendations:
- Match Mp to your use: Most point-and-shoot cameras offer at least 5Mp, which is plenty for producing 11x14-inch prints. Cameras with more megapixels will yield even larger prints and allow you to blow up a part of an image with less likelihood that the print will be blurry. If you plan to make only 4x6-inch prints, you don't have to shoot at the camera's highest resolution - and as a result, you can fit more shots on your memory card.
- Look for rechargeable batteries and a charger: The cost of disposable batteries adds up over the long run. Some cameras can use AA batteries of any type - disposable or rechargeable. That capability can be helpful if your rechargeable batteries run out of juice and you don't want to wait while they replenish.
- Disregard digital zoom: Most cameras offer at least 3x optical zoom - and some boast an optical zoom as high as 30X. But sometimes vendors tout a high total zoom that includes digital zoom, which you should disregard: Digital zoom produces photos that are inferior to those produced with an optical zoom.
- Look for a low-light focusing aid: Some cameras have auxiliary lights that help them focus in dim settings. That's important for many indoor shots. A lot of cameras these days have backside-illuminated (BSI) sensors, which generally do a great job in low-light situations.
- Try the camera before you buy: Some cameras have commands and menus that are easier to use than others, a comparison you can make only with a hands-on trial. Also evaluate the lag time between when you press the shutter button and when the camera actually takes the picture. Try the zoom lens - does it operate quickly and smoothly? Find out how long you must wait between taking pictures. And try the LCD viewfinder - in the sun if possible - to determine how easy it is to read.
- Consider investing in a memory card reader or a camera dock: A memory card reader acts like an external hard drive attached to your PC or laptop, allowing you to download pictures directly from your camera's storage media. Many newer laptops have one or more memory card slots built in, as do some inkjet printers. Alternatively, some cameras come with a dock or offer one as an option, and some of these docks offer a dedicated button for uploading all of your new photos on a memory card. A dock also charges the camera's battery.
- Buy a second memory card: If you have a second memory card, you can keep shooting while the images download, rather than having to keep the camera hooked up to your PC. Also, you won't have to worry about running out of space (and missing your perfect shot) quite so quickly.
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