Finding the Right Digital Camera for You

Article Source: Best Digital Camera Discounts. Copyright 2008
Date: July 4, 2009

If the process of buying your first digital camera seems confusing, don't worry, you are not alone. Every day thousands of people scour the web, looking for information on what camera model is likely to suit them best. This article will simplify the process for you, and help you select the digital camera that is right for your needs.

In the event that you already know what model of camera you are looking for, you can likely find it now by scanning our pages of digital camera deals, or use the search engine at the top left of this article.

Also, if one of the following article sections matches your immediate interests you can jump ahead now.

1. Digital Camera Basics - The Things you Should Know
2. Digital Camera Brands - Which is Better?
3. Digital Cameras for everyday Family Snapshots and Travel
4. How to Select a Digital Camera as a Gift
5. Choosing your first SLR Camera for Serious Photography
6. How to Find a Great Bargain on a Digital Camera

Because digital photography has become such a hugely popular pastime, you will find that, as a buyer, there are thousands of camera models to select from, offered by dozens of competing camera manufacturers. For a first time buyer, the range of choices can be overwhelming. But by addressing your photographic goals first, you can quickly pare down your options and arrive at a few competing models from which to make your final selection.

1. Digital Camera Basics - The Things you Should Know

You only need to attend a public gathering, like a school concert, to appreciate how widespread the use of digital cameras and camcorders has become. Stand at the back of the gathering and you will see cameras appear over the heads of their owners at every photographic opportunity.

The Disappearing Viewfinder. You cannot fail to notice the brightly lit LCD screens on the reverse side of the cameras displaying the exact scene the photographer is about to capture for their family records. It becomes immediately apparent that no one using point-and-shoot cameras is using their camera's viewfinder to frame their shots anymore. This is something to keep in mind when choosing a camera, as many compact models are sacrificing the viewfinder in favour of a larger LCD display.

One thing that the casual observer is also likely to notice is that, held almost at arms-length from the photographer's eyes, today's compact digital cameras are operated a lot more like overt scanning devices than the snapshot stealing film cameras that I grew up with. In fact, many digital cameras also sport a video mode as well, so there is more to this observation than one might think at first glance. In a very real sense, our digital devices seem to be converging.

Reusable Electronic Pixels. These days, instead of projecting the photographic image onto a sheet of light-sensitive film stretched across the focal plane at the back of the camera, the digital camera uses a vast array of reusable light-sensitive electronic pixels to do the same job. The image is converted into a digital format and immediately transferred to a memory card that can be swapped out, and is itself reusable.

Low Cost Per Image. Younger photographers, who have little or no experience with film cameras, are unlikely to appreciate the huge savings afforded by reusable memory cards, which have eliminated the need for costly high quality rolls of film. Today, film cameras are on the wane and are unlikely to be of interest to anyone but professional photographers, many of whom who still appreciate the physical tangibility of the film medium and its inherent longevity independent of an electronic device.

As a digital photographer you no longer need to "count the frames" as I once did when I started capturing images on film in the early nineteen eighties. You are free today to swiftly capture 500 images in a single day, rather than a carefully executed 50, and immediately discard the ones that don't make the grade. Because physical memory drops in price every year, the already low cost per image will continue to drop as well.

More Great Shots. In fact, this one benefit that digital photography provides is the secret to dramatically improving your photographic record. If you can afford to shoot ten times the number of photographs you cannot help but double or triple the number of great shots you produce. Just be sure to load up on physical memory cards before you head out the door!

Sharper Images. If you have ever taken what you thought might be a great photo, only to be disappointed when you see the blurred end result, you'll be pleased to discover that many modern digital cameras have image stabilization built into the lens. The camera can actually detect unwanted motion and compensate to produce sharp images that would otherwise not have been possible.

So keep an eye out for the term IS (which stands for Image Stabilization) in the camera name when scouring the pages at Best Digital Camera Discounts. IS models are priced a little higher, but the benefit they offer in rescued images is more than worth the extra cost.

2. Digital Camera Brands - Which is Better?

Had you asked me twenty five years ago which brand of camera you should consider going with, I would undoubtedly have shot back with Nikon. I really liked the look and feel of their cameras and I believed their Nikkor lenses were second to none. Nikon is still a fanatistic brand.

However, a lot has changed since those earlier days, and today Canon probably has the upper hand in terms of popularity. For this reason, and because Canon cameras are every bit as good these days as Nikon and Canon's other competitors, I strongly suggest considering a Canon digital point-and-shoot if you are interested in a compact camera. When it comes to SLRs it's something of a toss up as to whether you should go with a Canon digital SLR or a Nikon digital SLR for a first camera. But, if pressed, it is the economical but superb Nikon D40 which gets my vote.

For a great essay on the differences between the Nikon and Canon brands, see Nikon D3 and D300: Nikon's Latest DSLRs, and a Biased Evaluation of The Differences Between the Nikon and Canon Brands. The article leaves little doubt that Nikon has recently reseized the advantage in the digital SLR wars.

If you already have cameras in the household, and SLRs in particular, then the brand of SLR lenses you can get your hands on today pretty much determines the brand of your next SLR. For example, if someone in the family owns a Nikon SLR and you intend to use their lenses on occasion, then you'll need a Nikon SLR yourself to do that. Nikon lenses have a bayonet (insert and twist counter-clockwise) mount, while Canon lenses have their own mount design that twists clockwise.

Also, Canon made a major (forward thinking) design change to their lens mount when they moved into digital photography, so unlike Nikon lens mounts which are always backwards compatible with every lens Nikon has ever produced, that's not the case with Canon. If you buy a modern Canon digital SLR you'll need to use a modern Canon lens with it. To Nikon's credit, they got the lens mount right when they started their lens line more than half a century ago.

No such consideration need be made for point-and-shoots, which have no detachable lens. If your last point-and-shoot was an Olympus, there is no good reason not to try a Canon or Nikon model.

3. Digital Cameras for everyday Family Snapshots and Travel

When you will be taking photographs almost on a daily basis for your family album, or you will be traveling on vacation and you want to ensure that taking photos won't become a chore, what you need most in a camera is something that is both easy to use and handy.

By doing away with the requirement of film, digital cameras no longer need the storage area once used to house a film canister. This has allowed the simplest digital camera models to shrink significantly. The smallest of the point-and-shoots -- so named because they have done away with virtually all movable parts, save for the snapshot button -- are about the size, shape, and width, of a hand held calculator.

The slimmest of these ultra-compact models can easily fit into a shirt pocket, or handbag, and can be taken anywhere. This makes the point-and-shoot camera ideal for day-to-day family snaphots, or easy on-the-move photography.

Unlike the more complex digital SLR models that feature interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, or lighting accessories, you also won't have to worry about f-stops, exposure times, or which lens to use. The whole idea of the point-and-shoot is that you should only need to aim the camera and hit the button to get your shot.

But that doesn't mean these cameras cannot have great features. Many models have built-in face detection technology. The camera is able to pick out faces in the image and give them preferential treatment when deciding on the color balance and exposure time to apply. This is a more than useful feature to have when you'll be taking lots of pictures of the kids. So keep it in mind when selecting a model. For example, you will find face dectection in the Canon PowerShot A590 IS, Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS, and Canon PowerShot G9.

The point-and-shoot is also much easier on your budget than an SLR, and you'll be able to find a great camera for something well below $400, and for as little as perhaps $100 , such as the lose-no-sleep, perfect-for-amateurs Norcent DCC-725. For more information about specific point-and-shoot models, see why the Norcent DCC-725, Canon PowerShot A470, Canon PowerShot A590 IS, Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS, and Canon PowerShot G9 appear on our page of recommended point-and-shoot digital cameras.

4. How to Select a Digital Camera as a Gift

A camera can make for a great gift, and it is one of those items that is really suitable for all age groups.

In many cases, by buying someone a digital camera, you are doing them a great favour, because you are removing what can be a barrier to the world of digital photography for many people: the initial decision-making process about what camera to start with.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that if you are considering buying for someone younger than about 10 years of age, there is a good chance they may lose the camera (kids misplace things all the time) so be sure not to spend more than about $50.

For kids about 10 to 14 years of age, I suggest going with an inexpensive point-and-shoot digital camera , like the Norcent DCC-725. This will introduce the recipient to the possibilities of photography without overwhelming them with technical features. For the older teenager, perhaps consider the mid range Canon PowerShot A470 and Canon PowerShot A590 IS, or even a low end digital SLR model , like the Canon Digital Rebel XT if you think they might really enjoy getting into photography.

The benefit of an selecting an SLR is that the recipient can later choose to expand on the SLR platform if they decide to pursue photography as a serious hobby. With an SLR special purpose lenses can be purchased and an entire slew of technical features are available that are not general found on the cheaper point-and-shoot models. Digital SLRs are discussed in more detail in the next section.

5. Choosing your first SLR Camera for Serious Photography

The selection of an SLR camera requires a great deal more care than for a point-and-shoot model. The reasons for this are 3-fold:

1. Digital SLRs can be very expensive, so your choices are constrained by budget.
2. You are purchasing an SLR for its extendability as a photographic system, so you want to ensure you have picked a solid foundation for your platform.
3. Digital SLRs can be very robust, and you may still be using the camera 20 years from now. So keep in mind that you are likely choosing a model for the long haul.

The term SLR stands for "single lens reflex". This refers to the fact that a retractable mirror is used to redirect the light coming through the lens into the viewfinder. This means that you see through the viewfinder the exact scene that your digital SLR camera will capture. This is not true of point-and-shoots, which use a separate (small) lens to show an almost identical field of view to the one that will be captured.

Unlike point-and-shoot cameras, the lens on an SLR can be detached, and replaced with another. This allows for specialty lenses to be used to capture close-up images, wide-angle views, and telephoto (or long range) shots.

(Body Only) Warning. If you are buying an SLR for the first time, be sure to take notice of whether the offer is for a Body Only (no lens included in the kit). The kit lens is inexpensive when included with a camera body, and expensive to purchase separately.

Sometimes the product image will show a kit lens, even though it is not included. Check the product title to be sure. You should only consider buying the (Body Only) offer if you are shopping for a second camera, and you can use the lenses from your existing camera(s).

Another advantage to having an SLR is that the camera response times are much better than for point-and-shoots. Turn the camera on and you can start shooting immediately. If you need to do low-light, high-speed, or rapid succession photography, an SLR is the only way to go.

One downside to using an SLR, for those more familiar with point-and-shoots, is that most SLR models do not allow the LCD screen to be used to compose the image. This is due to the fact that the reflex mirror is used to divert the image to the viewfinder. The LCD is used for menu functions, and to display the image AFTER it has been taken. Some of the newer digital SLR models have started to incorporate the "live view" feature. However, it is not yet widespread, and you will pay more when it is present.

Another thing to keep in mind if you are used to handling point-and-shoot cameras, is that SLRs are much heavier, at about 1.5 to 2.0 pounds compared to 0.3 to 0.5 pounds for a point-and-shoot. Professional grade just weighs more.

Because an SLR system can be loaded with features, and the lenses themselves are not cheap, a basic digital SLR will generally cost anywhere from $500, all the way up to several thousand dollars . If you want to get started with a great "entry-level SLR", take a look at the compact Canon Digital Rebel XT and Nikon D60. For an in-depth overview of 6 top-rated digital SLRs, check out our page on recommended digital SLRs.

6. How to Find a Great Bargain on a Digital Camera

The amount you will pay for a given camera model will depend a lot on who you buy the camera from, and whether or not there is an existing surplus of the model. It is possible to see a great bargain on a particular camera model one day, and then the next day the offer is no longer available and the lowest price you can find anywhere for the camera is $50 higher.

At Best Digital Camera Discounts we poll merchants daily and display the best offer currently available for a particular model. How long a given offer will remain available is never known, though it probably depends for the most part on the number of units the given merchant currently has in stock.

So if you know what you are looking for, there is a good chance that the offer you find for the camera on Best Digital Camera Discounts will represent the lowest price you are likely to find anywhere. If you are not inclined to follow one of the recommendations for a camera made on this page, or on our other camera recommendation pages, try browsing our digital camera categories, or use the search engine at the top of this page to find currently available offers.