How to choose a camera
• In choosing a camera, think about what you need or want, what accessories
you already have, and what you can afford.
• Consider what you need: perhaps a camera that is always in your pocket
when you leave the house, one with higher capabilities that will fit in a
coat pocket, or an SLR to go with your investment in lenses for an older camera.
Spend towards the higher end for whatever you need and you will be happier because
of the better pictures, the additional camera capabilities, and the longer
time before obsolescence. When you are ready for another, it will be a good spare,
or a great gift to a family member or friend, or charity, or it
can be sold.
• Do you need to be able to record a series of perhaps 7 shots in 2 seconds
and keep all for evaluation or for the camera to pick the best of the bunch
based on its protocol for bluriness? Many mid-range cameras and above can
do this.
• Consider the memory card format. If you already have several SD cards
in your household, it adds more cost to start a new library. Look at
the format of the card in your other cameras, GPS, PDA or cell phone, mp3 player,
or whatever.
• Consider the battery format. Perhaps you already have other batteries
of the same format from other cameras or devices.
• Get 5 megapixels or more.
• Get a large optical zoom (unless this makes the camera too big for what
you want.
• Do you want to be able to capture a movie, particularly when something
unexpected happens? Be aware that SLR cameras may not be able to make videos.
• Look for a good lens (This is generally not an issue with a name-brand
camera).
• Most importantly…. it is only money! If you look at the money flowing
through your house in a week or a month, the difference between any camera
and the one you would really like to have is probably lost in the noise. Don’t
think “cheap”.
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Suggestions
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Books about Digital Photography
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