subject: Choosing Your Digital Camera-contd... [print this page] Few more Tips for choosing a Digital Camera for yourself:-
Size and weight. Digital cameras can be remarkably small and light (4 - 8 oz). The smallest ones are usually simple models without much zoom range; nevertheless, they often take great pictures. Compact super-zoom cameras combine small size with great zoom range. But if you are an experienced amateur who is accustomed to 35 mm film cameras, you may want one of the larger models with a large lens, because they feel and act more like a 35 mm camera.
Flash. Most cameras have a built-in on-camera flash. These are convenient, but an on-camera flash does not give very good-quality flash pictures. If you find that you are taking a lot of pictures with flash, consider getting a camera with a "hot shoe", which is a little mounting bracket on the top of the camera that allows you to attached a "bounce flash" unit, separately available for about $100. This is the type of flash that professional photographers use; it allows the flash head to be tilted up to bounce off the ceiling, giving a much softer and more flattering look to the pictures - and no redeye!
Ease of use. This is an important but ultimately subjective factor. In general, point-and-shoot cameras are the simplest to operate and are relatively inexpensive; they usually provide 5-10 mega-pixel resolution, fully automatic exposure and focus, and most provide modest optical zoom (x3 - x6). More advanced cameras and professional cameras are much more flexible, but they are heavier and have many more buttons and controls, which may require that you spend more time reading the manual to learn how to use them - and also increases the chance that one of the controls may accidentally be set incorrectly (a common nuisance)
Speed of operation. You may notice a slight delay between pressing the shutter button and actually capturing the image; it occurs while the camera clears the image sensor, sets white balance to correct for color, sets the exposure, focuses the image, and finally fires the flash (if it's needed) and takes the picture. Another delay occurs between pictures, when the captured image is stored on your removable storage card and the flash is recharged; this delay can range from a fraction of a second to as much as 1-2 seconds.
GPS locator: This is a great feature for travel photography. Picasa's Places button will pinpoint their exact location on a world map.
Video. Most cameras also take short video clips, some in HD.
Portfolio Website: Finally to showcase, share and sell your work online you need a Professional Photography Website.
