Have you ever been in a camera store, I don't mean one of those cookie cutter retailers where you ask for help and your children know more about the camera you are looking at than the person behind the desk trying to sell it to you.  I mean a REAL camera store where they sell $1,000.00 35mm cameras and $1,000's of dollars for Digital SLR's, with multiple lenses, carrying pack, turbo battery packs, and swivel axis tripods in brushed aluminum or nickle finish?   What about that one with the oversized viewfinder, or the white balance with 10x optical zoom?

When buying a digital camera, there is so much information out there that the learning process itself can be overwhelming.  On one end of the spectrum you find those who could do little more than read the description on the box and at the other end you have the camera technician from area 51 who can recite the schematics design for the original Polaroid camera.  Where does the average consumer begin?  Here are some simple but informative facts about digital cameras that will hopefully help in comparing one model against another and most importantly, setting a budget!

The most basic means of comparison is the resolution, often referred to as the megapixel or MP for short.  This is usually a number between 2.0 to 16.9.  The higher the number, the clearer the shot.  After about 5-6 mp, the difference in quality is hardly visible unless you are cropping or enlarging a photo beyond 11 x 14.  What this means to you is that bigger is not necessarily better.  You will obviously pay more for a camera with a higher mp resolution but if all you plan on doing is printing wallet sizes and 4 x 6 this is where you can significantly reduce the amount you will pay.  For comparison purposes, we have taken a photo above taken with a 4.0 mp Kodak digital camera.  All of our auction photos are taken with this camera.  This was taken without the use of a tripod.  You can see that if the photo is kept to size, the picture is fantastic.   BOTTOM LINE: As of the publication of this guide, most novice digital photographers will be very pleased with a 5.0 - 7.2 mp digital camera.  This will keep your options wide and affordable.

The next feature you should consider is the zoom.  This is often confusing because many manufacturers will lead you to believe that you have a very high zoom on your camera when they combine both the optical (real) zoom and the digital (enhanced) zoom.  If you see the words "TOTAL" or "COMBINED" you should look further into the actual size of the OPTICAL ZOOM as this is how the camera reproduces the shot when zooming in. An optical zoom means you are going to reproduce exactly what you see in your LCD or viewfinder from a further distance than what you normally see.  If you utilize the digital zoom on your camera you are getting a close reproduction but the camera is helping to fill in the spots where you will lose quality when zooming in.  BOTTOM LINE: Many cameras advertise a 3X optical and 4x digital zoom.  These are very basic models which will serve their purpose but the novice could quickly outgrow their cameras' performance and have to invest into a more powerful model.  It is always best to spend the money on the optical zoom.  4X Optical should be the minimum.

Another important feature will be the viewfinder/LCD screen.  This has been simplified as most all current digital camera will have at least a 2.0 inch LCD panel which is acceptable.  Obviously, the bigger the LCD screen, the more detail the photographer will have in their frame.  Some will prefer the traditional viewfinder which you hold to your eye.  If you are keen on this old school method be sure to check this out as some cameras may not have this option.  BOTTOM LINE:  LCD size should be a minimum of 2.0 inches for greater control in finding your ideal frame.

Next would be the physical characteristics such as weight and size.  This is a very personal decision in digital cameras and you should think about how you plan on carrying your camera around.  For some, the old chain-and-ball around your neck is unacceptable in todays nano-sized world.  Others don't mind a meatier model to help them grab and control the camera.  You will find that most models have been designed with ergonomics in mind. The vast majority of cameras today are within ounces of each other, not pounds. Smaller cameras are nice because of their portability.  If you are spur of the moment and like the candid shots, a sleek and stealthy camera will benefit you.  If you are going to be using a tripod for most of your photography, do not worry too much about the physical attributes as smaller cameras often fetch a premium because of their convenience.  After all, how portable are you going to be with a carry bag, tripod, extra batteries, charger, data transfer cable, extra memory cards etc... BOTTOM LINE:  Of the many shapes and sizes of todays' digital camera, size should only be of concern to those who are looking for maximum portability.

After the above has been compared carefully, there are several other features that you should consider.  Stabilization or anti shake is a highly desirable feature on any camera as this will significantly help reduce blur especially when using the zoom on your camera.  If your camera does not have this feature get read to tote your tripod everywhere you want to take photos.  All the other options seen such as photo style (sports mode, natural, black & white) are all nice but are features that should be relatively low on the comparison scale.  These features give you a way to personalize the photo experience or slightly enhance the ease in which you take your photos.  More advanced photo novices may argue this point but for someone buying their first or even second digital camera, these features are not used often.

On newer model digital cameras, having the option to record video is gaining popularity as many consumers search for a single solution to their digital life, having this option gives you added flexibility.  Don't forget that you will be limited as to the recording capacity on a camera where a digital video recorder is designed more for video capture.  Also, be sure that if this feature is important to you that you will also have the ability to record audio with the video.

Of course with your new digital camera, and depending on your style of photography, you may also consider the purchase of additional batteries, carrying case/travel bag, additional memory/storage, tripod, stand alone photo printer, and even extended warranties.  Additionally, most cameras will include some sort of editing software.  This software could be helpful in editing and adding effects to your photos. These are all things which will definitely increase your total cost.  Package deals are often great bargains on generic accessories so be careful before buying a package deal as you may not like the performance of certain accessories.

Your budget should consider not only the features and specifications you want, but the above mentioned accessories as a $200.00 camera could easily end up being a $400.00 purchase after accessories.  While there are many great model cameras on the market today for less than $200, you should think about your purchase as an investment.  If you are trying to get to that higher zoom but you have to cut something out, consider dropping the extra battery or forget about the extended warranty.  If you keep your camera clean and do not drop it, you will enjoy many thousands of photos without worry.  If you are the accident prone, well than maybe you should get the 5 year extended warranty!  It is our personal opinion that by the time that you may actually need that warranty, the current technology will go down in price so that replacing your camera would be more reasonable than paying for the extended warranties. (Don't get mad at us though if you drop your camera in the fountain as you try for that candid shot!)

None of this is necessary to get started though.  Remember that a digital camera is a point and click device so even out of the box you should be able to easily get started.  Learning the powerful features your particular camera has will take time and practice so do not be afraid to experiment with certain things.  No matter what, all consumers enjoy the ability to capture, edit, and share their special moments and there just isn't a faster way to do so than with a quality digital camera.

Good luck and if you have found this guide helpful please don't forget to let us know!

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