| So you want to buy your first digital camera? You | | | | wider than an A4 paper you must go for a higher |
| browsed a catalog and got stunned at the immense | | | | number of megapixels, usually 5 or above. |
| number of models available. Now you probably | | | | 3. Zoom lenses |
| wonder "which one should I choose? And what's all | | | | Don't get hyped about the digital zoom advertised by |
| this mumbo jumbo I read under Technical | | | | the camera: it's useless. You should only care about |
| Specifications? This article will try to sort out some of | | | | the optical zoom: the higher, the better. A 3-5x figure |
| the questions you might get. We will try to show you | | | | will usually suffice an average amateur photographer, |
| what to look for when buying a digital camera and | | | | but if you can get a better one, go for it. Digital zoom is |
| hope to show you which one is right for you. | | | | the only one you will ever use. |
| 1. Battery autonomy | | | | 4. Ease of use |
| This is probably neglected by a lot of uninformed | | | | For point-and-shoot cameras you should choose one |
| buyers. Like you don't want your cell phone to bail out | | | | that is easy to use and doesn't have a lot of buttons |
| on you during an important conversation, you wouldn't | | | | and tricky controls. You should be able to use it after |
| want the battery to run out when you are in the | | | | taking it out of the box with little or no technical |
| mountains on a "photo shooting spree" miles away | | | | knowledge. Unfortunately you cannot check this on a |
| from any power outlet. Make sure you document on | | | | presentation brochure or in an online shop, you will |
| the battery life and buy more powerful ones if you feel | | | | have to get a hands-on experience. Go to a local |
| the stock ones won't do the trick for you. | | | | retailer and ask for one. Check how easily you can |
| 2. Maximum resolution | | | | handle it |
| The number of megapixels determine the maximum | | | | As a final piece of advice, if you are a total newbie |
| resolution of your shots. Simply put, it is the level of | | | | you should start off with a consumer camera, |
| detail you can capture in a photograph. Long story | | | | preferably a point-and-shooter, then move up to more |
| short, if you take pictures to publish on your blog or | | | | sophisticated ones. Don't begin with a DSLR, because |
| Facebook profile you should settle for 2-3 megapixels. | | | | it will make your shooting experience a living hell. |
| If you plan to make high quality printouts on formats | | | | |