| If you have never owned a digital camera, or are | | | | your investment after the warranty period expires. |
| switching from compact body cameras to a DSLR, | | | | 4. Compatibility with your operating system |
| there are some general guidelines you should follow. | | | | If you are a Microsoft Windows user you shouldn't |
| 1. Budget | | | | have to worry about compatibility issues, since most, if |
| When factoring in how much you are willing to spend | | | | not all, cameras will work. However, if you use Unix or |
| for a camera, don't forget about the accessories. With | | | | MacOS you have to ask about supporting drivers. |
| low end consumer cameras, their price can pile up to | | | | 5. What's in the package? |
| even as high as half of what you pay for the gadget | | | | Usually, the retailers decide on the set of accessories |
| itself! You will need extra batteries, at least one | | | | delivered with the camera. At minimum, you should find |
| memory card, a camera bag and a data cable. | | | | a set of spare batteries, a (small) memory card, a |
| 2. Video mode | | | | software CD that must contain Windows drivers and |
| Some cameras allow you to shoot short videos with | | | | a photo processing program and an USB cable. |
| sound and download them to your computer. If you | | | | 6. Extra memory cards |
| are interested in such a feature, check the technical | | | | With a low to medium end camera, the amount of built |
| specifications before considering to buy it. SLR | | | | in memory or the memory card delivered in the |
| cameras, for example, don't provide this functionality. | | | | package can get filled up only after a handful of |
| 3. Warranty issues | | | | pictures. You must consider purchasing an extra card |
| Check with the local retailer if the camera you are | | | | that will suffice your needs. I would recommend at |
| buying is covered by warranty. Also, you will want | | | | least an 8GB or bigger one. |
| details on what happens if it breaks down: will it be | | | | 7. Extra batteries |
| repaired in a local store or do you have to mail it? | | | | As much as possible, try to purchase rechargeable |
| Does the warranty cover all labor and spare parts | | | | batteries with high autonomy rather than non |
| expenses? Also, do they offer extended warranty? | | | | rechargeable ones. No matter how much they cost, |
| You might consider signing such a contract to protect | | | | you will end up saving money in the long run. |