Toccoa GA, Stephens County & Northeast Georgia

Buying a digital camera for the first time can be intimidating, even for experienced photographers, although in many ways it's not that much different from buying a traditional camera. Sure, there are a few additional considerations (like PC compatibility, digital versus optical zoom, etc). But for the most part you're still looking for a camera that takes great pictures, feels good in your hands, and has all the features that are important to you.

Well drill down to the details and focus on the most essential features to look for when shopping for a digital camera. Here are some factors to consider:

Resolution. The first feature to consider when determining a digital cameras image quality is its resolution. A camera's resolution is determined by pixels: the more pixels, the higher the resolution. And the higher the resolution of a digital photo, the more you can enlarge it without losing image resolution. For example, the sensors on a 3.3-megapixel camera record approximately 3 million dots of information, which is enough detail to produce photo-quality images at sizes of up to 10 x 14.

Today's consumer-level digital cameras typically range in resolution from 0.3 megapixels to over 5 megapixels. A 1-megapixel camera works fine for printing smaller pictures (no bigger than 4 x 6), e-mailing them, or posting them to the Web. But you shouldnt settle for less than 2 megapixels if youre planning to enlarge pictures or make a wide variety of prints. Youll be disappointed in the long run. If you try to print lower-resolution images in larger sizes, the results will tend to look grainy, blurry, or blocky.
Look and Feel. Some digital cameras make it easy to take pictures. Others make you feel like you're taking photos with a bowling ball. The only way to be sure is to test drive the camera before you buy it. Look for one with buttons that are within reach and easy to use, and a viewfinder that's comfortable to look through. Go ahead, dont be afraid to handle the merchandise. Peer through the lens of the camera you're thinking of buying. Is the image clear and crisp?
Built-in Memory. Most consumer cameras use external memory: a memory card (Secure Digital, Compact Flash, SmartMedia, and Memory Stick are all common types) that you can remove when it's full. With this type of removable storage, you can simply insert a fresh memory device card and keep on shooting - a definite advantage. Avoid cameras that only have built-in memory and dont have a card slot.

You can increase the number of photos you can take by buying additional external memory.
Battery Life. Digital cameras go through batteries extremely fast, which obviously can be very expensive. Look for a camera that accepts rechargeable batteries, and then invest in two sets of them so that you always have spares.

Many cameras (including most HP Photosmart digital cameras) work with popular, rechargeable NiMH batteries. They are inexpensive and environmentally friendly, and they give you plenty of pictures per charge.

Another way to save battery power is to get a camera that has an AC adapter, and then you can power the camera from a wall socket. This is especially useful when you're downloading photos or viewing them on your camera's screen, both of which require huge amounts of power.
The kind of computer you own. Retail stores see a lot of returns from customers who buy cameras that dont work with their computer systems. So make sure that the camera you buy is compatible with your computer system, and particularly check your connection ports (i.e., serial, USB, IR).
LCD. Most digital cameras come with at least an optical viewfinder: the kind you look through on traditional film cameras. But many digital cameras also come with an LCD screen built into the back, which you can use as a viewfinder as well. The LCD screen lets you see what your picture will look like before you take it. Of indispensable help, it also allows you to look at the photos you've already taken. But it is also a major battery consumer, so if you use it often, have extra batteries on hand or use an AC adapter.
Special Features. The above features will all help you buy a good digital camera that will work just for you. But there are some special features that you also might want to consider if you have more specific needs.
If you want to take close-ups of distant objects, for example, then you'll need a camera with high optical zoom power. If you were going to take action shots of sports or nature, then a camera with a continuous shooting and landscape modes would be helpful.

Technology

Choosing a Digital Camera