Digital Camera Buying Guide

The abundance of digital cameras released each year may make it difficult for consumers to choose the right one.  Features, image quality, and price should all be considered when selecting a camera. After all, this will be the medium through which your fondest memories are recorded and remembered by generations to come.

When considering a digital camera, it’s beneficial to first make a list of desired features, such as a large LCD screen, manual controls, face detection, and ease of use.  Then pick a camera type: pocket, compact, high-end, ultra-zoom, or DSLR. Next, decide how much you want to spend. Keep in mind that for the most part, quality corresponds with price. Cameras that sell for less than $100 won’t likely produce pictures as clean and accurately-colored as cameras that sell for $300.

Keep in mind that buying a digital camera involves other purchases, too: memory cards, camera bags, and batteries, to name a few. Before you take the plunge, know what’s out there and how much it will deplete your budget.   

Types of Digital Cameras
Pocket – These digital cameras are less than an inch thick and flat enough to fit in a pocket. They have easy-to-use automated modes and often come in multiple colors.

Compact – This type of camera is thicker than a pocket model but not big enough to require a carrying case. Though these cameras have some Manual modes and controls, they rely on automated settings that make them user-friendly.

High-End – This type of camera has full manual exposure controls along with features such as a hot shoe for flashes and options for other accessories. These cameras tend to have more glorified specs: lots of resolution, impressive optics, an abundance of features, and sometimes RAW shooting capabilities. They are designed for seasoned photographers who want a camera that allows them to control the look of their photos, while offering more portability than a DSLR.

Ultra-Zoom – These cameras generally have large right-hand grips like an SLR, but their long 10-18x optical zoom lenses cannot be detached. Depending on the manufacturer and model, sometimes conversion lenses and accessories are available to give beginners a little more versatility. Look for solid image stabilization systems in these cameras – their long lenses demand it.

DSLR – Digital single lens reflex cameras, also called DSLRs, allow maximum versatility, speed, and image quality, but at the cost of ease of use, portability, and price. The camera body is sometimes sold alone, with lenses an additional purchase. Different wide angle, telephoto, and zoom lenses are available from each manufacturer, as well as flashes and other accessories.

Prices
Digital camera prices vary depending on the manufacturer and model, but most point-and-shoots are in the $250 range. There are some that are less than $100 and others that offer more resolution and features for upward of $600.

Pocket and compact digital cameras vary widely in features and price, but the quality of the images is generally tied to price. In other words, $80 cameras don’t take spectacular pictures. The high-end and ultra-zoom digital cameras usually go for $350 to $499, but there are outliers on both sides of the price range.

SLRs are quickly gaining popularity and because of this, a whole new entry-level market has opened up. DSLRs can be purchased for as little as $500 for a body. Lenses are often sold separately, although many cameras are sold with a “kit” lens for about $100 more than the cost of the body. Most DSLRs retail for just less than $1,000, although many of the professional DSLRs cost anywhere from $1,300 to $8,000 or more.

Warranties
Most digital cameras come with a limited one-year warranty from the manufacturer that covers defects only. Manufacturers’ warranties usually come in the box with the camera and require the receipt and proof of purchase to activate. Extended warranties from retailers are often available. Retailers’ warranties vary greatly in scope and price. Most plans last two years, but many are good for four. They can cost anywhere from $35 to $200. Warranties usually cover normal wear and tear, water damage, damage caused by dropping the camera, etc. Be sure to read the fine print, though — terms and conditions differ from retailer to retailer.

Memory
Most digital cameras include some form of memory, whether it’s built into the camera or a separate memory card. Most manufacturers include 16MB cards or about 14 MB of internal memory, but that’s only enough for a few pictures. Unless you want to upload images to your computer after every fifth picture, you’ll want to buy an additional memory card. Memory cards vary in size from 16 MB to 8 GB. The more resolution the camera has, the larger the memory card should be to accommodate the larger files. If the Movie mode will be a frequently-accessed feature, a larger memory card is in order. The read/write speed of the memory card should be considered, too: “1X” cards transfer 150 KB per second. There is a variety of types and brands; some cameras specify which type of card to use and some even specify the brand.

CompactFlash – Few compact and high-end digital cameras accept this type of memory. DSLRs use them because they are the fastest and have the largest storage capacity. There are two types of CF cards, but most cameras accept both. Type I is 3.3mm thick and Type II is 5mm thick.

Microdrive – This card is the same size as a CompactFlash card and is compatible with many DSLRs. It is essentially a tiny hard drive, and uses more battery power than typical flash memory cards.

Memory Stick Media – Sony digital cameras use this type of memory card. Sony cameras require it to fully utilize the Movie mode.

MultiMediaCard – This card is the size of a postage stamp and designed for use in cell phones, digital music players, and other digital media devices. Many compact digital cameras accept either SD or MMC cards. MMCplus and MMCmicro cards offer smaller formats to fit in ever-shrinking devices and offer more memory and faster read/write speeds than standard MMC.

SecureDigital – This is the most popular type of memory card, compatible with most pocket, compact, ultra-zoom, high-end, and even a few DSLRs. It is the same size as the MMC card. miniSD and microSD offer smaller cards, and SDHC cards offer 2 to 8 GB of memory.

xD-Picture Card – This type of memory card is used for Olympus and Fujifilm digital cameras, although recent Fujifilm models also accept SD cards. Olympus digital cameras require their own brand of xD cards for full use of the panorama feature.
 
Accessories
There are a number of accessories available for digital cameras, including battery chargers, underwater housings, slave flashes, carrying cases, neck straps, conversion lenses, remote controls, and printers. Prices vary by product and manufacturer.

Many photographers get into digital photography because they can print photos from their home printers. It is convenient and easy. However, keep in mind that printers also require ink and paper. Sometimes it may be cheaper to have photos printed at a retailer.