What to look for and consider when buying a digital camera?

Question

What is the best and worst brand to go for?

Answer 1

Depends if you want a point and shoot fully automatic or one you can control more via settings or a semipro - pro SLR digital....

My top 3 fav brands

Nikon
Canon
Olympus

Answer 2

Admittedly, I'm recycling a previous answer...

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 3

All of the major brands have their fans, and I have no doubt that they are all good cameras. Just stick with a major brand you have heard of. The only camera available at the moment that I would stay away from is the Fuji S9000/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 4

Brands aren't important. what you need to look for is a camera that has a large screen and when in use, the pic on the screen doesn't jump and has a good resolution. Pick a camera with a descent zoom. One feature you will probably use more than you know is the video, so make sure you get it. Lastly, use the camera BEFORE you buy. Become comfortable with using it.

Answer 5

What to look for? Price, a camera with 5 or 6 megapixels, one with only 1 second delay between shots, an image stabilizer and one with the optical zoom I choose. Most cameras have 3X and 4X optical zoom while others have 10 and 12X. Go to your local library and look at Nov '06 Consumer Reports. In general stick with brands of Sony, Canon, Nikon and Fugi.

Answer 6

helpful hint
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera guide
it should be very helpful