what is the most important thing that i should considerate when buying a camera?

Answer 1

As everyone else says, what to look for depends on your needs. If you're looking for a camera that takes professional quality pictures and fits in your shirt pocket and costs less than $200, you're out of luck... it doesn't exist.
If you have a reasonably large budget (say up to $2,000) and are serious enough to want to spend time learning photography, buy a DSLR. Otherwise, stick with point-and-shoot cameras.
Assuming you're looking at P&S cameras, here's the things I would suggest considering:
- megapixels: at least 5, but anything more than about 8 is waste. Make sure they're real megapixels and not some "equivalent" or "interpolated" megapixels.
- zoom range: determines how much of a range from widest angle to closest zoom; optical zoom counts, ignore digital zoom. You want at least 3X.
- size of the camera: small is more practical, but typically smaller also means poorer quality shots, although you shouldn't use size as a measure of its quality. Similarly, bigger lenses usually mean better pictures, but don't just assume that.
- programs: cameras that have various programs (sports, portrait, landscape, etc) are generally more versatile than cameras that are just point and shoot; on the other hand, more features can mean more complexity and more time to learn how to use
- construction: does the camera look rugged enough to survive the way you handle cameras? If you're clumsy or like to just throw your camera in any old bag, look for a sturdier camera
- additional features, such as face-finding, red-eye reduction, variable ISO, etc. Some of these features are getting to be pretty standard. Think about the features and ask yourself if you'd like that in a camera.
- batteries: for some people, standard AA or AAA batteries are preferable to rechargeables that are made for the camera; for others, it's the other way around. Decide what you like, but find out how many pictures you can expect to get on a change of batteries.
- LCD display: bigger picture preview size is nicer, but uses more battery power. The picture should be bright enough to view on a sunny day.
- Brand: some brands are better than others; stick with Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc; avoid the cheap no-names.

Most important, go to a quality photography store that has demo models out and staff that actually know what they're selling. Try out various cameras and ask lots of questions.

Answer 2

First thing that comes to my mind when buying anything is price, haha; just being funny. But really if you're not getting into photography very deeply, no need to shell out $400 or more.
People in the megapixel hype just have to have 8 or 10 MP. There are some cameras out there with 4 MP that can produce an excellent 8X10 enlargement. So stay with 5 or 6 megapixels. Zoom MIGHT be important to you. You want optical zoom which range from 3X optical zoom to 12X. More zoom, more money. You'd prob want a camera with 1 second delay between shots, some can be a high as 5 or 6 sec; that would drive me up the wall. You'd want a camera that's good on batteries. All this can be found in Nov'06 Consumer Reports at your local library. So you might want to look at Fugi, Canon and Sony brands. Buy a camera that's got a viewfinder not just a lcd screen. Using the lcd screen only, will eat up your batteries a lot quicker. Image stabilizer can come in handy, unless you have a real steady hand. Last...you need a memory card or memory stick. Go for more memory than you think you might need. Remember the more megapixels your camera is, the less shots you'll get on memory card.Memory card can range from $18 to $60. In Nov I bought a Sony with a 2 GB memory stick. Go to Website
CameraWorld.com they have a chart showing what different cards will hold using different megapixels. Hope I helped and not confuse you.

Answer 3

size of the camera and what you are planning to use it for....if it's just for casual photos, go buy price, size and user friendliness. For art photography you have to go with options. Research manufacturers. Don't just settle for whats at best buy or something. Spend at least a little time researching. Good luck.

Answer 4

Am I going to be able to use all that it offers?! Maybe I should consider taking a photography course to learn about cameras and photography, and enjoy it as much as possible!
Good luck!

Answer 5

in addition, check th ptilcal zoom, and not the digital zoom.
in megaPixels, 4-6 is enough for everyday photos.
the size of the camera depense on what you are planning to do with it.

Answer 6

1.brand & cost.
2.resolution & lens zoom.
3.weight and size depends on what u prefer..((i like heavy bulky cameras like my dslr-a100k)).
4.battery life.
some specific features can't be listed her coz it needs a ((professional or at least someone with good photography knowledge)) to understand.....good luck.

Answer 7

what you will use the camera for
how often
and the price

Answer 8

considerate? anyway..... basically just what you are going to use it for..... there are charts on different sites that can help u figure that out.....