Buy Digital Cameras

A Holistic Approach To Buying A New Digital Camera

Executive summary Ziv Haparnas

what is digital camera

Many buy a new camera based on just a few parameters like purchase price and megapixels. This is unfortunate as there is much more to a new digital camera buying decision. In the early days of the digital camera era buying a new camera was relatively an easy decision. Digital cameras did not have many options and checking simple things like price and the number of megapixels was enough. Since then however digital cameras have evolved and became more sophisticated.

Cost: Do not confuse cost with purchase price. Purchase price is what you pay to buy the camera.

User knowledge: It is important to buy a digital camera that is appropriate for its user's photography level. Digital SLR cameras fall into that category.

Basic features: There are some basic features that are common to most if not all digital cameras.

· Batteries: Digital cameras use two kind of batteries disposable or rechargeable. Take into account the cost of extra batteries based on the expected digital camera usage.

· Zoom: There are two types of zoom - optical and digital. Optical zoom works by physically moving the camera's lenses and changing the focal length. When you compare different digital cameras zoom figures always compare their optical zoom capabilities. You should ignore the digital zoom figures.

Accessories: Digital cameras can use a large number of accessories.

* Memory cards: Digital cameras store photos as files on a memory device usually a removable memory card. Most digital cameras are sold with a very small memory card. When buying a digital camera always check how much memory is included. PC connectivity: Digital cameras connect to computers in order to download photos. Lenses: High-end digital cameras such as digital SLR often require additional lenses. When reviewing your camera check what lenses are included with the camera. If you need more lenses shop around for ones that fit your camera and budget their price. For example when buying an SLR camera for outdoor photography that requires zoom lenses make sure you budget such lenses that fit the camera you plan to buy.

If do need an external flash in addition to your camera's built-in one make sure that you shop for one that can work with the camera and budget its cost before purchasing the camera.
Tips for Buying Your Digital Camera

buy digital cameras
buy digital cameras

Like many other consumer electronic devices digital cameras change all the time. Shoot landscape photos? Travel a lot with the camera?

Megapixels: New cameras are packed with an ever increasing number of mega pixels. Is more mega pixels better?

page 4X6 2MP

page 5X7 3MP

page 8X10 7MP

page 11X14 14MP

page 16X20 28MP

page 20X30 54MP

Unless your budget is infinite when you buy a camera with more mega pixels you make a compromise between mega pixels and other features. Optical zoom works by physically moving the camera's lenses and changing the focal length. Some manufacturers state the camera's zoom figure without specifying if it is optical or digital. For example if a camera supports a 5X optical zoom and 10X digital zoom advertising the camera as a "10X zoom camera" is confusing - 10X digital zoom can be done with any camera using simple PC software.

When you compare different cameras zoom always compare their optical zoom capabilities.

Know your battery: As any portable electronic device digital cameras are powered by batteries. Some cameras support both usually when using standard size batteries like AA, AAA.

Disposable batteries can only be used once.

The disadvantages to using disposable batteries are the cost of buying new batteries every time your batteries are empty and the capacity (in most cases a disposable battery will not last as long as a good rechargeable battery).

Rechargeable batteries can be used multiple times. If you choose to use a rechargeable battery powered camera make sure that your camera uses the latest battery technologies.

Memory card: Most cameras come with a basic low capacity memory card. Add that to the camera's cost.

Batteries: Check what batteries the camera uses and what batteries are included. Also check what the estimated battery life is. For example you probably need to buy an extra battery if your photo sessions are longer than the battery life. Check for the prices of compatible batteries and add it to the camera's cost.

Check if the camera includes the necessary cables and software.

Carrying case: Most cameras do not include a carrying case. If you will need a carrying case check for the prices of carrying cases that can fit your camera and add that cost to your camera's cost.

Lenses: Some cameras allow you to change lenses. Other cameras actually come without lenses at all - you just buy the camera's body and get the lenses separately. Add the cost to the camera's cost.

Build a table of prices and features.

For reference of branded digital camera, please click here.


Re-published by Hendra Subrata Liu