Buying a Digital Camera
Help and Tips
Buying a digital camera to get started in the world of digital photography or to replace your old camera? Read tips on getting the best digital camera for your money.
Set a Budget Before Buying
SUMMARY: Budget yourself when purchasing a digital camera.
Before deciding on purchasing a digital camera, it is important that you set yourself a budget before going online or visiting an electronics shop. Like purchasing any other big-ticket item else such as a computer, car, or house, there are tons and tons of options, and you don't want to get stuck with more camera than you can afford. Yes, the high-end cameras offer the best zoom, more megapixels (which don't always mean better photos!), and the added features, but they can also take a huge bite out of your wallet if you are not careful.
Ignore Digital Zoom
SUMMARY: When buying digital cameras, concentrate on optical zoom, not digital zoom.
Although many salespeople would disagree, when choosing a digital camera to purchase, I would completely ignore advertised digital zoom magnifications and only look at cameras' optical zooms. Digital zooming performs an interpolation, or computer-based 'guesswork', of an image to try to increase the perceived zoom distance. These can result in "fuzzy" images or those with less than optimal clarity, especially if you blow them up into 8x10 or larger photos. However, optical zoom provides for a true zoom-in or zoom-out on your subject.
Two Considerations when Buying a New Camera
SUMMARY: Consider these two items before buying a new digital camera.
Planning on buying a new digital camera? Among the many choices you have to make including megapixels, image quality, and zoom capability, here are two more things you should consider:
Media Type: There are lots of media types available for cameras, such as CompactFlash, SecureMedia, etc. Because of my previous purchases of CompactFlash cards that I used in older cameras, if upgrading, I would not want to purchase a camera that used a different type of memory unless its other features far outweighed those of competing cameras. Memory prices are going down, but cards are still not cheap and I don't want to 'throw away' this media investment when upgrading.
Some cameras are realizing that not everyone wants to use their manufacturer's proprietary media format. For example, the upcoming (at the time of this tip's writing) Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828 uses Sony's Memory Stick format, but this digital camera also supports CompactFlash and MicroDrives.
Battery Type: If you currently use rechargeable batteries, factor into your purchasing decision whether or not your 'dream' camera supports the same types of batteries. I own six or seven sets of AA NiMH rechargeable batteries and would be very weary of purchasing a camera that had its own custom battery type. Of course, if the digital camera offered double the megapixels, a wider zoom lens, and better quality photos, I might reconsider
Small Doesn't Mean Underpowered
SUMMARY: Small digital cameras may be exactly what you need.
Purchasing a small digital camera definitely can have its advantages. They are easier to transport long distances, less bulky to carry with you on trips, and less conspicuous. Plus, nowadays don't expect all small digital cameras to be underpowered toys!
Be Careful When Buying Package Deals
SUMMARY: Digital camera package deals may be too good to be true - or a real bargain!
It almost sounds too good to be true. A digital camera, plus memory, a tripod, a backup battery, extra lens, and more... for hundreds of dollars off the original price because it is a package deal!
When buying a digital camera, you're almost sure to be overwhelmed with such "Power Buys", "Closeout Package Specials", and the like. And sometimes, these deals can be real money-savers, especially if you need another camera bag, more memory, a backup battery, etc.
However, be careful before you spend your hard-earned money. While these deals may save you money, they may not save as much money as specified by the individual products' manufacturers' retail prices. And, sometimes, these deals are just ways for unscrupulous dealers to make a few extra dollars on the side, selling substandard or closeout equipment in combination lots that seem like huge bargains for the unwary.
Check What the Zoom Really Means
SUMMARY: Advertised digital camera zoom levels may not just be optical zoom.
Be careful when reading a manufacturer's specifications on a digital camera's zoom factor.
Many digital cameras may mention that a camera has a 10x "Combined" or "Total" zoom. This *may* mean that a camera has a 5x optical zoom and a 2x digital zoom (5 X 2 = 10). As mentioned previously in MalekTips, you should only concern yourself with optical zoom as digital zoom just does a pixel interpolation when taking photos, resulting in photographs that may not be as sharp as you'd like. Read the specifications carefully, and if you have any questions, ask a camera salesman about the camera's optical zoom only.
Get a Camera with Magnified Photo Previews
SUMMARY: Magnified photo previews can help determine the sharpness of a digital photo.
Digital cameras have the ability to preview previously taken photos. This is the huge advantage over film cameras; see what photos you took and make sure they look good before you develop (print) the pictures!
Don't Expect a Camera to Come with Enough Media
SUMMARY: Buying a digital camera? Be prepared to buy some extra media.
When you purchase a digital camera, unless it happens to be a package deal, don't expect the camera to come with enough media to handle your photography needs.
What to Look for to Take Night Photography
SUMMARY: Helpful features some digital cameras provide to take better night photos.
Are you planning on buying a digital camera for night photography, perhaps cityscapes or fireworks displays? If so, here are a few things to look for. Note that only the high-end cameras will have some of these features, so balance your desires against your wallet:
Be Careful with Very Cheap Prices
SUMMARY: Beware of the digital camera 'package deal' sales technique.
Beware of the digital camera 'package deal' sales technique.
WELL WHEN U SEEE ALL D ABOVE MENTIONED POINTS N TAKE DEM IN UR ACCOUTN U WILL NEVER REGRET BUYING A DIGI CAM
Buying a digicam.....waittttt
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