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What Digital Camera Should I Buy?

Whether beginning a career in photography, or just trying to snap off a few pictures of friends and family it is important to pick out the right camera. There are two basic types of digital cameras: Point-and-Shoot cameras and Single-Lens-Reflex (SLR) cameras. Point-and-shoot digital cameras most often are compact and have permanent lenses. SLR cameras are almost always more bulky than the Point-and-Shoot cameras and ordinarily have interchangeable lenses which protrude from the body of the camera. The following article is divided into two sections, each weighing the pro's and con's of these two distinct types of cameras.

The key when buying any camera is to look towards the future...could you see yourself becoming quite enthused with photography? If yes, then you should likely read on about Digital SLR cameras as they will give you the most capability and precision. If no, then there is no need to spend more money on advanced cameras, a Point-and-Shoot digital camera will likely suite your needs.

Digital Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Many people underestimate the power of a Point-and-Shoot camera. Point-and-Shoot cameras can deliver clear and professional images with ease. Many manufacturers offer digital cameras of this variety that have wonderful control over many advanced options such as shutter speed, ISO setting, and aperture. When looking into purchasing a Point-and-Shoot camera it is important to keep in mind the level of precision you think you might need. If your only looking to take quick pictures of the world around you, it would be in your best interest to buy a simple digital camera such as one of Canon's Digital Elph cameras. If you think you would like to take more professional images, then you should look into purchasing a “higher-end” digital camera such as the Canon S80.

Digital Single-Lens-Reflex (SLR) Cameras

Digital SLR cameras can seem rather complex due to the their often “professional” appearance; however, they are quite simple to operate. The key advantage of a digital SLR camera is the extreme control one has over every function of the camera. A multitude of settings can be changed and tweaked to produce the perfect picture. Unfortunately, with such precision comes at a cost. If you are looking to take a quick picture, a digital SLR camera is not necessarily your best option. While pictures can be taken at high speeds, doing so often requires some preparation and skill. Therefore, you should be prepared to spend much time tinkering with your new camera before you can take quick shots with ease.

When browsing for a digital SLR camera it is important to keep in mind your price range. Cameras of this variety vary from under $400 USD to well over $2,000 USD. In addition, there are many accessories which you may eventually want, such as lenses and flash attachements, which will likely cost hundreds of dollars more. Due to the rather costly nature of digital SLR cameras, finding the right deal and the perfect camera is extremely critical. There are many places on the web that offer seemingly great deals on digital SLR cameras; however, in many cases these deals are not what they seem. Often they are listed as “Body Only” which means that the camera is missing the lens. While you can purchase a camera and a lens separately, it is not recommended for first time buyers. Many manufacturers such as Nikon and Canon provide reasonable deals on entry level digital SLR cameras which can be purchased at your local camera retailer or electronics retailer. Purchasing your camera from a store dedicated to cameras alone is often the best option since the staff is more likely to be knowledgeable in what they sell and can help you buy just what you need.

Have fun with your photography and happy shopping.

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