There is so much that you can do with compact digital cameras that you just couldn't do with film cameras, and the switchover from film to all digital photography is well underway. When you think of how easy it is these days to just snap a photo, save it on a reusable media card, transfer the file to your computer later that day, alter the photo as you like in your favorite photo editor, and then either print it out on photo paper or send it to your friends around the world, it's no wonder that digital cameras are all the rage. But before you buy a compact digital camera, here are some things to look for:
Probably the most important consideration these days regarding compact digital cameras is how many megapixels they have. Actually this is how most digital cameras are grouped these days, so you need to understand what this designation means. Basically, a megapixel is capable of storing a million bits of information about a photo. So the more megapixels you have the more information you are storing about every photo you shoot. So before buying any compact digital camera you need to decide how you intend to use it.
Will it mainly be used for just 4x6 snapshots? Will you be enlarging some up to 8x10 or even higher? Do you like to crop out a portion of the images in your photo editor and enlarge them? The answer to these questions will help determine what megapixel camera will suit you best. This is because most 3 megapixel cameras can produce enough information about a photo to print a sharp picture on up to 8x10 or so. So if all you do is take snapshots you really don't need to pay for any more megapixels. However, if you like to make enlargements beyond 8x10 or you like to enlarge just a portion of each photo, you will need more megapixels, perhaps 5 or 6. And for those who are dedicated hobbyists who may want to produce super enlargements, you might want to consider even larger megapixel cameras.
Another important consideration especially for compact digital cameras is their size. Just as the name suggests, they are very compact. There is even an ultra-compact digital camera category too. Initially it all sounds good to make cameras smaller and more lightweight, but sometimes it seems that the camera manufacturers have gone a bit too far with some models and the dials and controls are so tiny that they are hard to manipulate for some folks whose hands may be larger. So before you buy any compact digital camera be sure that you actually hold one in your hand and work with it for a while so you know that it will fit you personally.
Once you have hand tested the models that interest you most, you can then look for them online and often will save a lot of money that way. There are several good online electronics retailers that offer significant compact camera discounts. So shop around and look for those online retailers that have a good reputation and have been in business for a while to get your best compact digital camera deal.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including audio and video. You can find out more about digital camera best buys and cannon digital cameras by visiting our Home Theater website.
Written By: Thad Pickering
