Getting the best value on the camera you purchase depends in large part on how you plan to use the camera. Even if it's a point-and-shoot for around the house and family vacations, you should consider qualities such as lens size, macro capabilities and resolution. Put these qualities into context by imagining the circumstances and scenarios in which you plan to use the camera. For example, you may need it for low-light settings such as concerts or for taking high-speed shots at soccer games.
Instructions
Choosing from the Options
1. Choose a camera with high resolution if you plan to print out your photos on a home printer or get them printed by a professional developer. High resolution is especially necessary if you plan to enlarge your prints. If your photos are mainly going to be emailed to friends or posted online, then this is not as much of a concern.
2. Check the amount of memory on your camera's card. This is an important consideration if you take lots of pictures in your travels and don't have ready access to a computer to download pictures.
3. Invest in a telephoto lens if you plan to shoot lots of photos of faraway objects. This is handy for news photographers who cannot approach a burning building or who want to capture an arrest at a roped-off crime scene. This allows a tight, close shot without endangering the photographer.
4. Select a camera with a macro feature for close-ups of subjects, such as a butterfly on a flower.
5. Decide whether you want a model that also includes video capabilities. This is a nifty feature if you're shooting a child's birthday party, for example, and want to switch back and forth between still shots and video.
6. Inspect the burst rate on the camera if you plan to take action shots of fast-moving objects. Point-and-shoot digital cameras have about a four- to eight-second lag between shots, as the image is stored on the memory card. Higher-quality cameras have an improved burst rate that shortens this delay between shots.
7. Purchase rechargeable lithium ion batteries if you plan to use your camera a lot. Digital cameras burn through batteries, especially to power LCD screens. Rechargeable batteries can be pricey at the outset, but they quickly make up for the investment when you don't have to keep shopping for camera batteries.
8. Head to an electronics store, and physically test out the models. You might be more interested in slipping a camera into your pocket than lugging around a hefty top-shelf camera. Talk with an employee about your preferences, and get some suggestions on what would work best for your needs.
9. Compare prices of the cameras that carry the features that you want. Choose the best value.
