what do i need to look for in a digital camera?

Question

i want to buy a digital camera...but i don't know what to look for. any advise?

Answer 1

All of the major brands have their fans, and I have no doubt that they are all good cameras. The only camera available at the moment that I would stay away from is the Fuji S9500. I bought one and the photos are just not sharp and clear.

Take your time looking, they are getting better and cheaper as time goes by.

Optical zoom is the most important thing, get the most you can for your money.

Digital zoom is a complete waste of time, do not consider this as a factor when buying a camera. Once you have bought a camera, turn digital zoom off.

Get the most megapixels you can for your money.

As a very rough rule of thumb when comparing your final choices in camera, take the number of megapixels and multiply that by the amount of optical zoom. Buy the camera with the highest number.

Try to avoid a camera that uses two 'AA' batteries (except perhaps the Kodaks that can use the CR3 Lithium ion Battery Pack). Get a camera that either uses four, or one with its own dedicated Lithium Ion battery pack. (If you want to keep it for a long time, check the price and availability of replacement batteries. perhaps ebay?)

Answer 2

Allow me to categorize my answers.

A. Megapixels
B. Battery
C. Memory
D. Zoom
E. Size
F. General

let me explain this list for you

A. Megapixels
The amount of Megapixels determins what you can print.
1 or less: If you only wish to use your pictures for internet or computer monitor viewing then a very low 1 or less megapixel will do.
2 megapixels: If you wish to print mini pictures or 4x6 size maximum and are not to concern with the quality of he picture 2 megapixels will do the trick
3 megapixels: If Printing a clear 4x6 is important then this is your choice
4 megapixels: This allows you to play a little with cropping on any 4x6 or 5x7 size print without loosing imaging and clarity. Some blow up capability might be possible depending on the conditions when the picture was taken
5 - 7 megapixels: Allows you more room for cropping and blowing up pictures especially if printing larger formates like 8x10
8 - 12 megapixals: proffesionals are using this amount of quality for extremely large photography. The alterations capabilities are limitless.

B. Battery
Lithium, Ni-Cad, its all confussing. but basicly the choices are these. Cameras use either replaceable batteries or rechargable ones. It all depends on you. A camera that comes with a rechargable battery will last you a long time if you take cae of it properly, but when you need to replace it, might as well buy another camera. Replacable batterries can get a bit expensive if you take many pictures and you use your camera often. the one other option you have is get a camera that uses replacable batteries but buy a battery charger and rechargable batteries and just keep them charged whenever you need them. It is a wiser cheeper choice

C. Memory
Make sure the camera uses a removable memory card. some come with a very low megabite(MB) card but it is convinient to always have an extra card handy. they come in many variouse sizes but each camera has its unique type of card. Depending on the amount of pictures you are planning to take and the megapixal size you will be using will dictate your needs. A 256 MB card using 5 megapixal pictures will allow approximately 50 - 60 pictures before you will need to empty the card

D. Zoom
Although zoom capability is convinient it is not a complete necesity. A very basic camera wit hthe minimum zoom capability will be sufficient unless you wish to take professional photography

E. Size
The smaller the camera the more it might cost you. The more the extra gadgets the larger the size. I preffer one that I feel confortable holding and that I can manuver efficiently. But then again I do have big hands

F. General
Other feature would largely depend on you. I like remote controls and continuouse snaps, I also like to be able to change the megapixals of the pictures im taking., but the more options or features the more you will need to pay.

Good luck with your camera hunting.
If you have anymore questions feel free to e-mail me
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Answer 3

there are a few things you have to consider:
a) usage - for what purpose are you going to use the cam? professional or just the usual point and shoot?
b) budget
c) megapixel - it matters mostly, the higher the resolution you need if you have to print the pictures in bigger sizes (poster size or more)
d) important, at least the cam has an optical zoom feature (it matters, since it's a camera, it will highlight the subject more).
check out also some other sites that offer advise on how to choose the right camera for you.

Answer 4

if you would ask me,maybe you should look for a camera who has a mini screen on the back part of the cam.,which will make you save pictures thatn you want to.........or delete pictures that you want to........and besides it is more advanced than any other camera......you don't need to look in to the mini whole....which.,it is hard for you.......much better if oyu would choose a camera which has a mini screen on the back......(wink)

Answer 5

you need to know the features: mega pixels...,the higher the better, size of LCD screen the bigger the better, sizes- the slim is the most up to date,and other features like water resistant and shack proof and the most important is the brand name choose the most top ten digital cameras.,goodluck....!!!gud Day...

Answer 6

Megapixles. The higher the better for picture quality.