subject: Getting a Digital Camera - Features to Look For When Choosing a New Digital Camera [print this page] Getting a Digital Camera - Features to Look For When Choosing a New Digital Camera
If you're looking to buy a new point-and-shoot digital camera, then this is the article you should read. In this article I am going to first look at the key . After that, we will then take a look at some additional features that you may want to have on your camera. Then finally, we will take a look at the most important digital camera makes available at the moment.
Most important Features of a Digital Camera
Naturally, all cameras have their own unique set of features, but there are some fundamental features that a modern digital camera cannot possibly be without, for example:
LCD Display: You can view your photos once you have taken them.
Various Automatic Modes: Quickly and easily take photos using the correct setting for whatever situation you are in.
Optical Zoom: Enables you to get close to the object.
Image Stabilizer: A lot of digital camera now have this, which really helps to produce sharper images in difficult conditions.
Extra Features of a Camera
In addition to the key features mentioned above, here are some extra features that you may want to look out for:
Smart Auto: As well as the various automatic settings described above, some cameras now have the ability to actually automatically select the appropriate scene setting for you.
Smart Portrait System: Some newer cameras (such as Nikon) include this feature, which detects faces and can even automatically take a photo whenever a person smiles.
Automatic Panorama Mode: Quickly create wide panoramic views within the camera by taking multiple photos and then letting it automatically stitch them together.
Face Retouching: Some higher end cameras have the ability to make certain edits within the camera, such as smoothing the skin or removing blemishes.
Built-in GPS Navigation: Find ideal shooting locations quickly and easily.
The Most important Companies and their Camera Ranges
Canon: $89-$900. Top camera brand, with quite a large choice of products (almost 400 of them) to suit all requirements and budgets.
Olympus: $73-$1,049. As with Canon, another top digital camera brand with a wide assortment of products available (more than 350 of them).
Sony: $80-$700. Like Olympus, there are more than 350 products available here for a wide range of budgets and requirements.
Nikon: $75-700. Once more, as with Sony, more than 350 cameras spread across a large price range.
Kodak: $60-$450. More than 300 cameras, including everything from your basic compacts all the way up to high end fully featured cameras with large lenses.
Panasonic: $89-$586. Just like Kodak, a large number of cameras covering a wide range.
Fuji: $80-$1,000. This brand is also decent, and has a large number of digital cameras.
Samsung: $80-$850. Again, another good make with cameras to suit all budgets and needs.
Pentax: $75-$400. A decent choice of digital cameras to suit almost anyone.
Casio: $80-350. A good series of digital cameras at some very reasonable prices, even for high end cameras.
Vivitar: $20-$120. A good series of low budget compact cameras. Great if you're really low on cash.
General Electric: $60-$195. Not a huge assortment (about 70), mostly compacts.
Polaroid: $24-180. As with General Electric, not a very broad series, and mostly compacts. However, if you're struggling money-wise, there are some extremely low budget ones here.
