10 Steps to Buying a Digital Camera You Must Know

You are anxious to purchase your new digital camera! You want to get it in your hands quickly so you can begin to enjoy it. Are you going to go to the store right now and pick one out? Wrong! You must have some basic knowledge and know-how prior to entering into the world of salesmen and digital cameras! Here are the steps to buying the digital camera that is right for you.

1. Know your budget. Yes, you have to do the number crunching this time. No sense in getting your hopes up for a high powered digital camera you can't afford. Do not be afraid to tell the salesman straight away what your budget is either. Don't waste your time looking for cameras that don't fit this budget.

2. Know what you want to use the camera for. Is this for a professional or to take pictures of your kids? Will it be used mostly indoors, outdoors, or both? Knowing this information can help narrow down your search as well.

3. Needs versus desires. Okay so just about everyone wants the digital camera that is loaded with features and added bonuses. But, is it really what you need? Cutting down all these extras will help you cut the extra costs as well. But, don't skimp either. Take some time to check out several of the available digital cameras in your price range. Know what to expect for your money.

4. Do your research. Trust me, once you walk into that saleroom, chances are you are going to want to lay your hands on a camera and leave with it. But, this is not a smart choice. You need to either decide not to do this until you have checked out several places or you can do the smarter thing. That is doing your research online from home, far away from the store itself. Just keep going from site to site to determine what are the basic cameras available in your price range. Who is offering the most bang for your buck?

5. LCD screen or not? Most of us want to be able to preview the image we are going to take using the LCD screen. But, it is a costly addition to the camera. Consider whether it is right for you or not.

6. Memory Cards. Will you need to purchase a memory card for your digital camera as well or will one be provided. How many should you buy depends on how much you will use the camera in between downloading them. How much memory will be on the cards for the camera you plan to purchase?

7. Pixels and Resolution. Just, what is all that about? The better quality cameras which have higher pixels and resolution provide a clearer picture with much more detail then others. Again, compare the different models once you are at the store. Which model, in your budget range, has the best picture? Or, which camera has the best picture for what you are willing or able to spend. Test them out prior to purchasing to see the difference here.

8. Is the camera compatible with your computer? This is very important here since this is how most people download and even print off their pictures! This is usually not a problem unless you own an older computer.

9. Ease of use. Purchasing a digital camera is supposed to make your life easier, right? Make sure you are choosing one you can understand how to use and one that is simple to use. When you want to take a picture, you usually don't have 5 minutes to figure it out.

10. Cost of features over name brand. Our last comment has to do with name brands. Surely, you know that just because a name brand sticker is on an item it is not a way to tell if it is the best model out there. Compare the features and items listed above to find the best camera available to you, not the label.

Putting all of this together can produce a great digital camera that suits your needs, your budget, and even your desires. Now, that you have an idea of what to look for, go ahead, run to your retailer with the best deal and get the digital camera you have been waiting for!

John Howard is an avid digital photographer. Visit his website for tips and tricks at: Digital Photography

©2005 John Howard All Rights Reserved. This article may be published in web based or email form as long as this credit box is attached and the hyperlink is active. It may not be altered or edited in any way.

In The News:


Google News
Updated : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:55:15 GMT

SAfrica's Mbeki meets Zimbabwe's Mugabe - Reuters

SAfrica's Mbeki meets Zimbabwe's Mugabe
Reuters - 1 hour ago
By MacDonald Dzirutwe HARARE, July 5 (Reuters) - South African President Thabo Mbeki met Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Saturday to try to help end a political crisis after a violent election that extended Mugabe's 28-year rule.
Germany's Merkel hopes for African leaders' support on Zimbabwe ... International Herald Tribune
South African president arrives in Zimbabwe Xinhua
Voice of America - guardian.co.uk - AFP - The Associated Press
all 5,770 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:04:03 GMT

Jesse Helms, former senator, conservative icon, dies - Newsday


Wall Street Journal
Jesse Helms, former senator, conservative icon, dies
Newsday - 2 hours ago
Jesse Helms, the former five-term US senator from North Carolina whose relish for thwarting initiatives he opposed as too liberal earned him the nickname "Senator No," died Friday at age 86.
Video: A Look Back At Jesse Helms CBS
NC Senator's Hard-Line Conservatism Helped Craft Republican Social ... Washington Post
Wall Street Journal - San Jose Mercury News - Boston Globe - Dallas Morning News
all 2,466 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:58:21 GMT

Argentine Lower House Passes Grain Export-Tax Plan (Update3) - Bloomberg


Aljazeera.net
Argentine Lower House Passes Grain Export-Tax Plan (Update3)
Bloomberg - 2 hours ago
By Eliana Raszewski July 5 (Bloomberg) -- Argentina's lower house of congress approved the government's plan to increase taxes on exports of grains and oilseeds, risking a resumption of three months of strikes by farmers.
Export Tax That Angers Farmers Advances in Argentina New York Times
Argentina lawmakers approve farm export tax hike guardian.co.uk
Voice of America - AFP - BBC News - The Associated Press
all 138 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:41:30 GMT

California's priority wildfire in check -- for now - Reuters


AFP
California's priority wildfire in check -- for now
Reuters - 2 hours ago
By Jim Christie SAN FRANCISCO, July 5 (Reuters) - Firefighters in California have fended off a blaze threatening more than 3000 homes in and around the coastal town of Goleta and are turning their attention to preventing its spread toward the nearby ...
Video: Wind Keeps California Wildfires Raging AssociatedPress
California's Wildfires Have Scorched 527000 Acres (Update3) Bloomberg
Los Angeles Times - AFP - NECN - San Francisco Chronicle
all 910 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:04:28 GMT

France's Sarkozy Questions If ECB Rate Increase `Reasonable' - Bloomberg

France's Sarkozy Questions If ECB Rate Increase `Reasonable'
Bloomberg - 6 hours ago
By Simon Kennedy July 5 (Bloomberg) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy recommenced his criticism of the European Central Bank today, asking it was ``reasonable'' for it to have raised the region's key interest rate this past week.
Fighting Inflation, Europeans Raise Rate New York Times
Euro flat after post-ECB dip MarketWatch
istockAnalyst.com - Reuters - Forbes - Wall Street Journal
all 1,857 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:50:48 GMT

A Side Competition in Beijing: Island vs. Mainland - New York Times


CTV.ca
A Side Competition in Beijing: Island vs. Mainland
New York Times - 8 hours ago
The Taiwanese Olympic table tennis team practicing at Kaohsiung. Taiwanese players have hopes of winning medals next month in a sport China has dominated.
Taiwan media, business people welcome charter flights, mainland ... Xinhua
South Africa: Country Should Take Heed of Taiwan's Errors AllAfrica.com
Monsters and Critics.com - International Herald Tribune - Wall Street Journal - BBC News
all 883 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:16:20 GMT

Obama mixes holiday and politics in Montana - Reuters


Boston Globe
Obama mixes holiday and politics in Montana
Reuters - 4 hours ago
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent BUTTE, Montana (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama mixed presidential politics with parades and barbecue on Independence Day on Friday, celebrating his daughter's birthday with a picnic and fireworks in Montana ...
Play of the Day: Malia Obama's "best birthday" The Associated Press
On the Road: Montana Outtakes New York Times
FOXNews - Los Angeles Times - Washington Post - New York Daily News
all 755 news articles

Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:13:58 GMT

RSS Software
More Web Site Traffic


PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

How to Easily Start Up Your Own New Photography Business From Home

With modern technology in the form of SLR digital cameras,... Read More

How to take Great Photos of Your Pet

We all love our animals. They do such funny, adorable,... Read More

Digital RAW Workflow for Beginners

Having an efficient work flow is essential for photographers. In... Read More

Picture Framing for Photographers - Part 1

Imagine being able to frame all your own photographs just... Read More

Tips for Taking Better Vacation Photos

Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More

Infrared Photography and Big City Crime

One of the major problems of the larger cities of... Read More

Christmas Rush this Holiday Season to go to Digital Photography

So you have rushed out into the malls in a... Read More

Photography 101 Part 1

Photography 101 Part One Equipment: camera, meter, flash, tripod This... Read More

Move Up to the World of the Digital SLR Camera

A digital SLR camera or a single lens reflex (SLR)... Read More

Exposure Compensation

The digital camera is in reality a great possession with... Read More

Where to Find Cheap Disposable Cameras

There are many kinds of disposable cameras. All disposable cameras... Read More

Digital Cameras vs. Film Cameras- the debate goes on

One of the biggest debates in the photography world is... Read More

Taking Panoramic Landscapes - The Easy Solution

I love panoramas. There's something very appealing about their shape.... Read More

Digital Camera Metering

Looking at the most intricate details of the digital camera... Read More

Olympus Digital Cameras - Digging Into The History

One of the oldest companies, Olympus has had a long... Read More

Photography 101 Part 2

Basic CompositionNow that you are beginning to understand how your... Read More

Start Up a Nude Photography Business

There are major obstacles to overcome to get into nude... Read More

How To Make A Time-Lapse Video With Your Digital Video Camera

Getting the most out of your digital video camera can... Read More

Disposable Cameras for Weddings

Disposable wedding cameras (also called single-use cameras) will never replace... Read More

Digital Image Files ? Megapixels, Megabytes, or DPI?

When I promised readers that I was going to do... Read More

The Photography Portfolio: Building Your Reputation

If you have hopes of becoming a professional photographer, or... Read More

The Well-Dressed Photographer - Winter

Some of the best images can be captured during the... Read More

Review of the Photek Product Shooting Tent

Here's the challenge. You have to photograph small items for... Read More

How To Avoid Or Reduce Red-Eye

Photography with the aid of a digital camera is beyond... Read More

Underwater Photography: The Wonders Under the Sea

The world of photography is an amazing one. It's been... Read More