subject: 7 Mistakes To Avoid While Buying A New Digital Camera [print this page] Buying a new digital camera is like picking a needle from a haystack. In todays world the options are many and there is no standard nomenclature for all things digital. Take for example image stabilization. While Brand X calls it VR, brand Y calls it IS. Therefore it becomes crucial for anyone looking to buy the best digital cameras to understand what each feature delivers and whether you need it or not.
Similarly, there are others factors as well to consider while buying digital cameras. Ignorance or negligence on your part to consider may result in bad purchase.
We discuss a few of these mistakes in details below:
Getting impressed by digital zoom: Zoom is one big factor brands use to promote their digital cameras. However what one needs to know is digital zoom is only a gimmick and its something you can do on your PC as well. Optical zoom is what really matters.
Buying digital cameras for their megapixel counts: Megapixels are only half a story. What matters is the size of the sensor recording the images on. Same number of megapixels on a bigger sensor makes for better images. As a matter of fact, anything above 2 megapixels is good for the computer screen and therefore 10 or 12 wont make much difference.
Going for aesthetics over performance: A big mistake people commit is to prefer a camera that seemingly looks better. A good approach is to go under the hood to know what performance a digital camera can deliver and then purchase it
Buying additional features that have no real use: Many digital cameras come with features such as MP3 players, which frankly speaking dont have any real use. Try not to get impressed with such gimmicks. Stick with a dslr camera or a digital camera that does what precisely it is made for.
Not checking the warranty: What do you when you found two equally good digital cameras? Compare them on warranty and see which one is more comprehensive. Good cameras would usually come with longer warranties. Do not buy one with shorter or without any, things digital can go awry anytime!
Getting drawn by freebies and discounts: Another marketing gimmick that brands deploy is offering freebies and discounts. While if they come along with the best digital cameras there is nothing wrong in buying however most of the times its the low selling digital cameras that need such marketing push and therefore it makes sense not to get impressed by such additions.
Unawareness about the different features: Do a thorough a reading of what different features are made for and then compare the different digital cameras on their specs. Do not go compare shopping without knowing what specs mean and remember bigger numbers not always translate into better cameras. Take for example dslr camera lens with an aperture such as 5.6 and above. While the number is bigger than those dslr cameras that come with 1.8 lens however in reality bigger aperture only mean slower lens and may not be the best bet for night photography.
Keep these tips in mind next time you go shopping for digital cameras and chances are you would walk out with a digital camera or a dslr camera that truly packs a punch.
