Choosing a good digital camera can certainly be confusing! There are so many out there – brand names we trust – all touting their strong points and yelling “Buy me! Buy me!”: So we’ve put together a few suggestions based upon your level of expertise.
Beginners
Your photography style is simple and straightforward – point, push the button and get a picture. You will want a camera with auto settings that people refer to as a “point and shoot” type camera.
Look for the following features:
• 8 – 10 megapixels (pretty much the norm)
• 3X optical zoom
• Automatic exposure
• Scene modes
• Optional camera dock, perhaps, to transfer, save & print
photos at the touch of a button
This type of camera will be lightweight, compact, and easy to use. Note, however, that it is best used in bright light and may do poorly in low light, so keep that in mind.
You may want to get a 128 MB+ memory card for extra picture storage and a camera case for easy carrying wherever you go as well as to provide protection for the camera is always a good idea.
Intermediate Users
You are an intermediate user if you enjoy taking your pictures and then using photo editing software to “tweak” the images. You also know how to make fun crafts from your pictures, uploading them to the internet to share with others, and likely having them enlarged and printed on photo paper or canvas.
You will want a compact camera with the following features:
• 10 – 14+ megapixels
• 4X optical zoom or higher
• Semi-automatic controls
• Scene modes
• Adjustable settings such as ISO (light sensitivity sensor),
white balance, and exposure compensation
With its more advanced features, you will have a camera that can do just about anything you want it to. In fact, it will have some of the performance aspects of digital SLR cameras which are the ones the professionals use.
For extra image storage, look at a 256 MB+ memory card. You also might get good use out of a good quality photo printer. Don’t forget an appropriate camera case to hold not only your camera but your extras as well.
The Professional
You are absolutely passionate about photography and everything that it encompasses. You always have your camera with you and people are often asking you to take pictures of special events for them.
You probably don’t really need our suggestions at this level, but we’ll give some anyway for those who may want to take the jump.
A digital SLR camera is best for you. Because you are so into your photography, you’ll want a camera that can give you the results you imagine in your mind. A camera like this, however, doesn’t come cheap. Be prepared to spend some serious dollars for one of these.
Include the following as well:
• 14 – 21.1 Megapixels
• JPEG, TIFF, and RAW formatting
• Zoom width and length to meet your shooting style
• Semi-automatic and full manual control
• A variety of metering and focus modes including manual focus
• Flash compensation
• Save custom setting option
• A hot shoe allowing for an external flash to be used.
A digital SLR is a high quality camera with a high quality lens and mechanics. There is little or no noise when shooting and it can accept a variety of accessories and interchangeable lenses. It can, however, be one the bulky side to carry.
The professional user will also want several high capacity, high speed memory cards and an external flash is always good to have available.
You may want to get some different lenses or converter lens kits. Filters make your pictures better and a tripod or monopod is always nice to have around.
An appropriate camera bag will make it easier to carry around your camera and accessories. There are some really nice backpack-types that have adjustable compartments on the deep side for camera and lenses, other accessories on the thin side and a handy strap/hook on the outside to attach a monopod.
