subject: Getting the right Camera for You [print this page] Getting the right Camera for You Getting the right Camera for You
The array of cameras on display at electronics stores or available from Internet retailers can be intimidating.
Yet you can choose the right camera with a little research and thought about your specific needs.
Will you use the camera primarily for family photos and perhaps some scenic shots of your favourite holiday destination? Do you wish to shoot action shots of sports, children, or wildlife? Do you want to photograph distant subjects? Do you want full control of the camera settings, or would you prefer the camera handle the exposure and shutter speed automatically?
With your photos in hand, how will you view and share them? Will you primarily view them on a computer and post some on the Internet? Cheap laptops are sufficient for those purposes, or for uploading photos to Internet printing sites if you prefer to have glossy colour prints in hand.
If you're like the great majority of camera buyers today, film cameras are not an option. It's hard to match the versatility, image capacity and features of digital cameras.
Start by deciding whether you want a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR), a point-and-shoot model, or a "bridge" camera that offers some of the qualities of both of those categories.
A DSLR camera is a powerful tool that can produce professional-looking photos. These cameras provide auto modes that make taking good pictures easy. But they also offer a full range of complex settings that allow precise control. Typically, DSLRs come in 10- to 18-megapixel models. The higher the megapixel count, the more you capability you have to crop or re-size a photo without losing significant image quality.
Keep in mind that DSLRs can be fairly heavy, and to handle a variety of photographic situations, you must purchase more than one lens. DSLRs are the most expensive option.
Point-and-shoot cameras offer compact size and easy use. Many also have impressive specifications such as high megapixel counts and 10X or more optical zoom that lets you shoot distant subjects. They offer fully automatic shooting and "scene" modes tailored for specific situations such as landscapes or portraits. Point-and-shoot cameras can be the least expensive option.
Many bridge cameras tend to fall into the "super zoom" category, offering 20X or more zoom lenses that also can shoot wide-angle photos. While equipped with auto and scene modes, they offer full manual controls as well. They can't match DSLR image quality in all cases, but can produce striking photos.
Don't forget that inherent in owning a digital camera is having a computer on which you can view, edit, and upload your photos. A desktop PC or a laptop such as the popular Dell Inspiron models is a must.
When you see that first batch of photos on the screen of your Dell laptop, the effort you put into finding the right digital camera will seem well worth it.
