choose a digital camera

Look out for the following facilities -

• 8 plus megapixel
• a view finder and / or a large bright LCD screen
• anti shake or image stabilization ( same thing with different name ) face detecton
• choice of program modes for simple camera adjustments
• the most important part of choosing a new camera is to hold it
• try selecting the options you will want to use regularly and take a few photos with it
• and finally ask will this camera take the type of photo you will mostly want to take?
  

BEWARE !
I do not review cameras for two reasons - firstly there are some very good review websites (dpreview being one) which go into the technicalities and quality of results compared to similar cameras etc which brings me to the second reason, which was recently high lighted by a friend looking to buy a new DSLR. His original brief was to fulfill the following -

• a small light DSLR that will easily fit in a backpack
• some thing fast enough to capture motor sport photos
• something not too expensive as after all this is a hobby so a budget of perhaps £500 to £600
• a zoom range of approximately 28 x 300mm in old money or 18 to 200 in digital terms

So a short list was arrived at and a visit to the local Jessops arranged to follow my advice to pick up, hold and play with the prospective purchase. Now a decision may well have been on this visit had it not been for comments made by the sales person. Instead an element of doubt crept in and a decision made to carry out more research on the review websites. After reseaching all the possibilities and alternatives to the original choice, consideration was given to a semi pro DSLR which was twice the original budget, far more complicated, much bigger physically, and heavier and of course much more complcated to use.
So BEWARE of being tempted by comments in reviews to buy a camera that is complete overkill for your particualr requirements. Do you want to print photos if so how large, or will you mostly view photos on a screen or TV? As stated on prevoius pages list what photos you want take, and how you want to view them, you may find all these technical features are not important.

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Pocket or Bag Great take anywhere general purpose digital camera -	For - Small take anywhere cameras best for point and shoot casual photos. Great to pop in a handbag or shirt pocket. Stylish, chick and fashionable, particularly some of the Sony range Great for shots within length of small garden or lounge shots Against - less room on the camera body for buttons more facilities are shared between fewer buttons or hidden in menus making some models less easy to operate, so check which facilities you want most. limited facilities to adjust the camera for particular circmstances Size limits the range of zoom lenses Those with big hands may find it difficult to negotiate the buttons Ultimate quality compromised by small sensor More difficult to hold still enough to get a sharp photograph Easier to take a blurred photo Flash has limited range perhaps 8 feet Why buy this type of camera ? great for teenagers, boys and girls and mums and dads who want a small take anywhere snapshot camera that wil fit in a small bag or pocket. Why not buy this type of camera ? Those with large hands who may struggle with small controls and who find it harder to use facilities hidden away in menus.Those who are looking for ultimate picture quality as the small size limits the technology available to get better pictures.Not for those who wish to learn more about photography. Check Out - Sony or Olympus for a waterproof model
Compacts Still small but more facilities, better lenses & quality -	For - vast range as slighty larger size allows more facilities and better layout of controls slightly larger size means easier to use bigger size means better quality lenses and greater zoom lens range some models have an optical viewfinder which is an advantage in direct sunshine generally expect better quality photos and more flexibility some models allow the photographer more control see the Canon G9 for example Against - May be too large or heavy to carry in a trouser pocket or evening bag Better specified compacts can cost almost as much as an entry level SLR. as with the pocket cameras the small size sensor has limits on quality Zoom range though more flexible than the pocket cameras still limited by size If relying on LCD screen, possibility of blurred photos. Ultimate quality compromised by small sensor Why buy this type of camera ? Great for those who travel but still want a smaller camera with a greater zoom lens range. Individuals with larger hands will find the slightly larger size gives easier handling. Enhusiasts who want more photographic control and better quality ( the more you spend, more facilities ) Why not buy this type of camera ? Those who want the ultimate quality should look at SLR cameras. Some compacts are too large to comfortably carry in a pocket. Check Out - Canon G9 for lots of user control and models from Panasonic Lumix for wide angle lens
Bridge or Super Zoom digital camera's a more photographic experience and a viewfinder -	Bridge cameras - are a halfway house between a compact digital camera and an SLR digital camera. For - a viewfinder and an LCD on the rear. can use LCD to frame photo larger zoom range feels more like an SLR camer, some super zoom models have a vast zoom range eg: 28-504mm more powerful on camera flash and often a hotshoe for an external flashgun generally quicker between photos and continuous shooting options larger size makes it easier to get a sharp photo. Against - too big for pockets though not heavy can cost almost as much as SLR generally much slower to use than true DSLR longer range electronic zooms can be slow electronic viewfinders not great experience ultimate quality compromised by small sensor can't change lenses like an SLR Why buy this type of camera ? A good compromise between a compact and an SLR camera in size and flexibility. Handles more like an SLR than a compact. Often faster to use than a compact. Some models like those from Fuji offer real SLR alternatives with manual zoom lenses. Greater zoom lenses eg. 28mm to 300mm. Why not buy this type of camera ? entry level SLR's may cost very similar and will offer greater flexibility and far better quality due to the larger chip size. May be too big - look at compacts. Check Out - Fuji - Olympus - Panasonic
SLR's changeable lenses, systems ? the ultimate flexibile photographic tool -	For - Ultimate quality & flexibility Wide range of accessories for amateur or professional use Physically larger sensor captures more information and higher quality than smaller sensors in compact digital cameras Whole range of lenes from ultra wide angle to extreme telephoto Buying an SLR provides ultimate flexiblity with an accessory for almost everything you can think of Make the right choice and have a camera for life Keep your lenses and upgade just the camera body for better specified machine Against - definitely too big for pockets medium and high range models expensive higher models wil be a little over whelming for beginners needs a commitment to lug around on holiday may end up having a whole bag full of equipment Why buy this type of camera ? Where quality is paramount. Looking through the lens experience (try it) Full manual control. The only choice for ultimate flexibility and great quality from larger SLR sensors and fantastic range of accessories. You can buy a cheaper SLR body as a beginner and if you decide you need greater quality or facilites you may be abe to keep the lenes and just upgrade the body, as long as its the same lens mounting. Why not buy this type of camera ? If its too big, or if you just want a small relatively inexpensive point and shoot camera to use at home. Most photographers will have a compact or pocket camera and an SLR. Check Out - Nikon - Canon - Pentax - Sony - Olympus NOTE: many SLR's are sold with a "kit lens" see notes on lenses in general information >