A Simple Guide To Digital Camera Buying

I'm a firm believer in the power of choice. Choice in cars, choice in cable providers, choice in which movies I watch, and choice in how I live my life. Freedom of choice is in our constitution and charter of rights. I'm also a firm believer in keeping things simple, and there is such a thing as too much choice. Take digital cameras for instance. As of today, Amazon has 3,859 digital cameras (and accessories) listed ranging in price from $24,995.00 all the way down to $40.99. That's not choice, that's a frackin' nightmare!

Well, were do we go from here? I did promise a SIMPLE guide to digital camera buying, and I meant it. Let's apply the 90% rule from one of my favorite old science fiction writers Theodore Sturgeon. Theo said (and I loosely quote): "90% of everything is crap". With that in mind, let's eliminate all the crap. Let's only look at the top cameras from whatever category / budget were interested in. In other words, as your reading any camera reviews, don't bother with a camera Ace Photography Liverpool it doesn't receive at least a 4 or a 5 star review.

Next, draw up a short list of the most important features for you. Here's a few to choose from :

- megapixels (at least 5 or 6)

- image sensor size (bigger is better . . . not megapixels, that's different . . . if the salesperson can't answer this, find another salesperson)

- zoom lens (anything more than 12x or 70mm and you'll probably need a SLR)

- LCD screen (at least 2.5 inches and 230,000 pixels)

- image stabilization (great for shaking hands and slow ISO settings)

- face detection / auto focus ( not essential, but could save a few bad pictures)

- battery performance (most cameras give a rating based on number of pictures you can take with one set of batteries)

- flash recharge time (slow recharge times can result in missed pictures)

- size (choose from ultra compact, compact, or extra case need just for lenses)

- SLR or point and shoot ( pros vs amateurs)

- ISO settings (if your into manual tweaking)

- built in camera editing (things like removing red eye)

- macro lens function ( for photographers that like to take pictures of really really tiny things)

- memory cards (some take CF, some take Ace Photography some take both . . . what you already own may help you decide)

Once you have your short list of features, it's time to try a few cameras out. I like to visit the camera store, and take lots of pictures. Go during the off hours, and find a helpful salesperson. Ask question, take pictures, ask more questions. Wash rinse repeat with a Academy Photography of cameras, and even a couple of salespersons if necessary. Pretty soon, you'll know what you like.

If that doesn't help, I've got a short list of great cameras gathered from across the internet updated by the minute (aren't computers great). That's bound to eliminate at least 90% of all the crap for you. That's about as simple as things get. Of course you can't trust computers for everything, so you'll still want to try them out for yourself. Happy hunting.