January 2008 - The Basics of Buying A Digital Camera

If Santa didn’t fulfill your wish for a digital camera, don’t be blue. One of the best times to get great deals on digitals is in January and February before new camera models are launched in March.

Most people get confused by the different options for digital cameras, overwhelmed by technical terms new and unfamiliar. But the details most important in choosing your first digital have less to do with the camera, and more to do with you, and how you intend to use it.

If you just want a camera to have on hand during those "perfect picture moments," a small, point-and-shoot camera will be fine for photos you want to e-mail, post online, or print in smaller sizes. Many point-and-shoots will fit in your pocket.

If you are wanting to develop your photography skills, enlarge photos, use photos for scrapbooking or for publishing projects like calendars or framed gifts, consider a point-and-shoot camera that also offers manual controls. That way, you can use the camera immediately upon purchase, but also develop your abilities as you learn more about your camera and study the art of photography.

If you want to be (or are) a professional, you may want to splurge on a new SLR (single lens reflex) camera. Keep in mind though, and SLR’s zoom range depends upon the lens attached to it, so there will be additional future costs for lenses, on top of the rather large expense of the camera itself.

The quality of a digital picture is determined by its resolution, or number of ‘pixels’ in the image. Options range from five to twelve ‘mega-pixels’, but for most people, six or seven is all that is needed.

Another important point is the camera’s zoom capability. Digital cameras have two types of zoom: digital and optical. Don’t let any salesperson convince you there is no difference between the two. In digital photography, optical zoom is what matters.

Most digital cameras come with 3x zoom capabilities, which is perfectly fine for the amateur or hobbyist. If you want to enlarge, shoot sporting events, take distant photos of wildlife, you may want a to look for a camera with a higher number, but don’t be pushed into spending big simply for the biggest number. If you want the highest quality possible, choose an affordable SLR, and spend the extra money on a lens instead.

One of the most important features of a digital camera has little to do with the picture quality. The power of a digital is directly related to the power and dependability of the batteries within.

Digital cameras today have either a battery pack or take AA batteries. Skip the camera with the battery pack, as sooner or later, it will have to be replaced. Choose one that takes AA batteries, then purchase rechargeables and a charger.

Does brand matter? Yes and no. Repair histories for each brand shows little or no differences. Nikon and Olympus are leading choices for professionals, but Canon is favorable for all. HP (Photosmart), Kodak and Sony are fine for the general consumer, however Sony prices run a little higher.

Don’t fall for the two main traps set by digital camera dealers.

First, watch for "unbundling." A basic digital camera package almost always includes a battery charger, lens cap, batteries and software. Dealers remove items from the package and sell them separately. To find what should come with the package, visit the maker’s web site, or ask to see the user’s guide for the display model.

Then, at the counter, skip the extended warranty. Digital cameras are some of the most reliable products on the market today.