| So, you need to buy a digital camera either for | | | | lines. The Canon PowerShot A720IS, or the Canon |
| yourself or someone else. The problem is, you've | | | | SD1000 Digital Elph are both respectable cameras. |
| never bought a digital before, and you don't have the | | | | Backed by the solid Canon name, with plenty of |
| time to get up to speed on all the pros and cons of | | | | megapixels, and some nice features like image |
| digital cameras. Well, that sort of speeds the process | | | | stabilization, in camera editing and large sized LCD |
| up already, as we've just eliminated all the professional | | | | screens. The SD1000 is what's considered a ultra |
| grade cameras and move to the category of hobbyist | | | | compact, so it's smaller and easier to stow in tight |
| or casual photographer cameras. | | | | spaces. |
| That eliminates a lot of cameras, and narrows down | | | | In the over $200 category, you get more features, |
| the list of features we need to concern ourselves with. | | | | more megapizels, some extra accessories, and |
| The first item we need to consider is budget. For | | | | generally a more durable camera. Cameras to |
| simplicity sake, let's consider two categories. Under | | | | consider here would be the Canon PowerShot |
| $200, and $200 to $500 cameras. After $500 we're | | | | SD950IS or the Pro Series S5. The S5 has a nice 12X |
| getting into semi professional equipment, and going with | | | | optical zoom for those times when want to be out of |
| our previous assumption that's neither you nor the | | | | the scene but still want a close candid shot. Don't be |
| lucky recipient of your purchase. | | | | shy about spending the extra money in this category, |
| There's plenty of good cameras in the under $200 | | | | as I've generally found that cheap electronics always |
| category, but I wouldn't venture below the $100 mark. | | | | comes back to haunt you. |
| Unless of course you like standing in customer service | | | | |