Tips for Buying a Digital Camera
If you have never purchased a digital camera or are looking at upgrading the one you have, the wide array of these cameras on the market today can make the process more than a little challenging. Prices can range from under $100 dollars to several thousand depending on the style, brand, and level of skill required to use the camera. Some are small and lightweight enough to fit in your pocket, while others can weigh two pounds or more.
At the same time the least expensive models are simple to use and those at the top of the scale can seem like they require a technical degree just to learn how to take a simple picture. There are a number of things you need to know, before you set out to find the right digital camera to meet both your needs and your budget.
Different Types of Digital Cameras
There are a number of different types of digital camera on the market ranging from the snapshot camera for casual images to digital SLR cameras made for the professional photographer. Each of these cameras has its own uses, and there is no reason for you to spend money on more camera than you are likely to ever use.
The Point and Shoot Camera
These simple cameras are designed to fit in your pocket or purse and to be used primarily for snapshots. Most are fully automated in that all have to do is point and click. Some offer digital zoom and optical zoom functions to add more versatility. They are fast and easy to use, but often offer less than stellar results that are only marginally better than you might get using your current smartphone.
The Bridge Camera
The bridge camera fits in between the compact snapshot camera and the more expensive interchangeable lens SLR style camera. They are designed to bridge the gap between beginner camera and professional grade SLR cameras. These cameras have a built in lens with superzoom up to 50x magnification levels. Most are designed to offer wide angle and telephoto options so that you can take a range of images without the need to change lenses.
Most have smaller image sensors similar in size to compact cameras, meaning you are not going to get the best possible images, especially in low light or high speed conditions. At the same time they are easy to use and offer you a range of creative options to work with. This makes them the perfect choice for the beginning photographer who is ready to step up to the next level.
The Digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) Camera
For decade the single lens reflex camera has been at the forefront of superior image quality. These cameras use a prism and mirror based system that is designed to let you see exactly what you are about to take a photograph of. These cameras are among the fastest on the market, they are used by professional sports photographers and journalists around the world.
Digital SLR cameras use interchangeable lenses to provide you with a virtually endless range of photography options from extreme close-up (macro) to wide angle and zoom (telephoto). They allow for fast shots, multiple shooting options, have larger image sensors that improve their image quality, and work well in low lighting conditions. On the other hand they tend to be heavier and come with a wealth of controls that require significant learning before you can get the most out of them. These are also the most expensive digital cameras, but if you want the best image quality may be the right choice for your needs.
Here are Five Digital Cameras worth Considering
| Digital Camera Comparison Chart | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PowerShot A2500 16MP Digital Camera | Canon PowerShot A1400 16.0 MP Digital Camera | Canon PowerShot SX50 HS 12MP Digital Camera | Nikon D3200 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR | Canon EOS Rebel T5 18MP EF-S Digital SLR Camera with Accessories | |
| Customer Ratings | |||||
| Type | Compact | Compact | SLR | SLR | SLR |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | |
