| There are a few key factors everyone should keep in | | | | include the accessories you need to take quality shots. |
| mind when looking to buy a digital camera. This article | | | | Be prepared to spend extra for memory cards (more |
| is meant to provide a few tips in this direction. | | | | than one, if you frequently take lots of outdoors shots |
| 1. What do you actually need? | | | | and can't bring a laptop with you to download the |
| The most common mistake I've encountered among | | | | pictures once the card gets full), spare batteries (also, |
| people who want to buy a digital camera is that they | | | | you should get more than one set, just to be on the |
| buy one that is beyond their needs. Before investing in | | | | safe side), tripods, filters and lenses (if you are buying |
| something you will never use, ask yourself a couple of | | | | a DSLR) and external flashes. Some retailers will give |
| questions: | | | | discounts if you buy the accessories together with the |
| What do I need the camera for? | | | | camera, so you might want to look for such offers. |
| Am I willing to learn about the art of photography or will | | | | 4. Read what others had to say about the camera |
| the Mode button remain stuck on "Auto"? | | | | Do your homework. Read up as much as you can on |
| How much am I willing to spend? | | | | the model you plan to buy. Usually you will find such |
| Answer these questions and you will find yourself in a | | | | testimonials on discussion forums. If you know |
| better position to know what you really need. | | | | professional photographers you might also want to |
| 2. Resolution is good, but not everything | | | | ask them for a piece of advice. Don't simply rely on |
| Don't buy a 6 Megapixel camera if you only want to | | | | the recommendations the sales person gives you: |
| take 600x400 pictures to populate your online album. | | | | sometimes they want to get rid of old stocks or get a |
| So, unless you plan to print high quality posters, don't go | | | | higher incentive for selling a certain model that doesn't |
| for anything above 4 Megapixels, or you will find that | | | | necessarily suit your needs. |
| you have to get a new memory card in no time, as | | | | The above are my tips on buying a digital camera. |
| high resolution photos eat up disk space quickly. | | | | While these are not the only recommendations one |
| 3. When calculating your budget, keep in mind the | | | | can come up with, they come from my personal |
| accessories | | | | experience. |
| The catalog price for a camera will most likely not | | | | |