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Which Digital Camera Is Right For You?
If the process of buying your first digital camera seems intimidating, take heart, you are not alone. In this article I will simplify the process for you, and help you choose the digital camera that is right for your needs.
If you already know what model of camera you are looking for, you can probably find it now by scanning our pages of Digital Camera Deals, or use the search engine at the top left of our site.
Digital Cameras for everyday Family Snapshots and Travel
When you plan to take photographs almost on a daily basis for your family album, or you will be traveling on vacation and you want to ensure that taking photos won’t become a chore, what you need most in a camera is something that is both easy to use and handy.
By doing away with the requirement of film, digital cameras no longer need the storage area once used to house a film canister. This has allowed the simplest digital camera models to shrink in size. The smallest of the point-and-shoots — so named because they have done away with almost all movable parts, save for the snapshot button — are about the size, shape, and width, of a hand held calculator.
The slimmest of these ultra-compact models can fit without problem into a shirt pocket, or handbag, and can be taken anywhere. This makes the point-and-shoot camera ideal for day-to-day family snaphots, or easy on-the-move photography.
Unlike the more complex digital SLR models that feature interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, or lighting accessories, you also won’t have to think about f-stops, exposure times, or which lens to use. The concept behind the point-and-shoot is that you should only need to aim the camera and hit the button to get your image.
But that doesn’t mean these cameras cannot have cool features. Many models have built-in face detection technology. The camera is able to pick out faces in the image and give them preferential treatment when deciding on the color balance and exposure time to apply. This is a more than useful feature to have when you’ll be snapping lots of photos of the kids. So keep it in mind when selecting a model. For example, you will find face dectection discussed in Canon PowerShot A590 IS reviews, and on the corresponding pages of the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS, and Canon PowerShot G9.
The point-and-shoot camera is also much easier on your budget than an SLR, and you’ll be able to find a great camera for something much less than $400, and for as little as perhaps $100, such as the lose-no-sleep, perfect-for-amateurs Norcent DCC-725 reviews.
How to Choose a Digital Camera as a Gift
A camera can make for a great gift, and it is one of those items that is really suitable for all age groups.
In many cases, by giving someone a digital camera, you are doing them a great favour, because you are removing what can be a barrier to the world of digital photography for many people: the initial decision-making process about which camera to begin with.
One thing to consider, though, is that if you are thinking of buying for someone younger than about 10 years of age, it is quite possible they will lose the camera (kids misplace things all the time) so be sure not to spend more than about $50.
For kids about 10 to 14 years of age, I suggest going with an inexpensive point-and-shoot digital camera, like the Norcent DCC-725. This will introduce the recipient to digital photography without overwhelming them with technical features. For the older teenager, perhaps consider the mid range Canon PowerShot A470, Canon PowerShot A590 IS, or even a low end digital SLR model, like the one discussed in Canon Digital Rebel XT reviews if you think they might really enjoy getting into photography.
The benefit of an selecting an SLR is that the recipient can later choose to expand on the SLR platform if they decide to pursue photography as a serious hobby. With an SLR, special purpose lenses can be purchased and an entire slew of technical features are available that are not generally found on the lower-priced point-and-shoot models. Digital SLRs are discussed in more detail in the next section.
To read the other two-thirds of this article please visit Best Digital Camera Discounts.
Stephen Carter runs Best Digital Camera Discounts, where, if you find a great price on a camera, there is a very good chance that the offer represents the lowest price you are likely to find anywhere. If you are not inclined to follow one of the recommendations for a camera made on this page, try browsing our digital camera categories, or use our search engine to find currently available offers.
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