Digital cameras make a great gift for Christmas, especially with all of the features that are included in rather affordable packages now. But before you lay down your hard-earned cash make sure you are not bedazzled by whistles and bells (and buttons and modes) that turn out to be more superfluous than suitable.
Regardless of what cool features your chosen model has, they will mean nothing if they don’t produce good images.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you shop for the camera that will be the best value.
- When it comes to megapixels, more is not necessarily better. In the early days of digital photography, improved resolution was essential to producing images that would print well at larger formats such as 11×14 or 16×20. But that additional resolution, measured in megapixels, also can impair the quality of low-light images by producing digital noise—those ugly red, green and blue speckles that you usually will find in the darker areas of the image. Plus, the higher megapixel count fills the memory card faster. Models in the 5 to 8 megapixel range will provide more than enough resolution to produce good quality enlargements, so go for the lower count, even if you can’t find anything as low as 8 MP.
- Optical zoom is the only zoom that matters. Forget the digital zoom. You know the big sticker on the box that reads 3x optical zoom, 10X DIGITAL ZOOM? Well that digital zoom is really just the camera’s best guest at what a close-up should be, based on the information it receives from the 3x OPTICAL zoom. You may get lucky once in a while, but most of the time, the digital zoom range will produce pixelated, soft images that won’t be worth the paper it’s printed on when you enlarge it.
- Choose a model with an Optical Viewfinder. In the race to produce thinner, smaller cameras with larger LCD screens, one of the unfortunate casualties is the optical viewfinder. That large LCD screen is great for reviewing your captured shots, but when you must rely on it to compose a shot in bright sunlight, you’ll be guessing at best. Do you want to leave that once in a lifetime shot to a best guess in an LCD viewfinder you can’t see? Optical viewfinders are increasingly more difficult to find, especially on the smaller, less expensive models. If you find a model with one, seriously consider buying it, no matter when the other features, becausewhen all is said and done, it is about getting the shot.
- Look for manual override options. It is quite possible that you may never want or need to switch away from the automatic mode, but at the very least you want to be able to disable the flash for those situations when flash is not permitted. Also, if you find this camera ignites the shutterbug in you, then the ability to take control of the settings will allow you to express your creative side as you learn and grow as a photographer.
- Buy a spare battery and memory card. When you finally find the right camera, you don’t want to be stopped dead in your tracks by a dead battery or a full memory card just as the good stuff starts happening. So, spring for an extra battery, rechargeable of course, and a memory card, and keep them ready to use.
It’s easy to be confused and overwhelmed when you start your search for a digital camera, so try to keep in mind that ultimate goal for your camera is to capture images that will preserve your memories. Don’t let the gimmicks trick you into choosing a model that will leave you wanting more in the end.
Happy shopping!!
