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Industry News/Reviews
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How to Choose the Best Digital Camera for You
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Cut Through the Techno-Babble... "Hands-On User's Advice"
To help you when buying a new digital camera, we guide you on things to look out for, tips on what to research, how to get advice and find the best price.
We review:
Which Camera type is Right for You?
Planning: How you will Use Your Camera
Research: Where to Find Information on Digital Cameras
Shortlisting: Things to Consider and Compare
Buying: Getting the Best Price
Australian Websites with Reviews, Guides and Comparisons
Handy Photography Tips
Which Camera type is Right for You?
Digital cameras come in many colours, shapes & sizes, but the main types are:
Compact / Ultra Compact: Small or very small (pocketsize); some are basic point & shoot, others a little more advanced.
Compact Advanced (Prosumer): Middle of the range in terms of skill required, medium sized, for the budding photographer or enthusiast.
Digital SLR: For high level users; with professional lenses and picture quality, auto or fully manual controls, predominantly quite large in size.
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Planning: How You Will Use Your Camera
The first thing you need to think about before buying a digital camera is what you want to use the camera for; ie informal family/friends get-togethers, indoors/outdoors, close-ups of people/nature (macro setting), landscape scenery (optical zoom), etc.
Also, think about your photos:
Will you print all photos out; or just a selected few?Will you want to enlarge them; or mostly email smaller sized photos?
These things will help you decide what type of camera you need.
Research: Where to Find Information on Digital Cameras
Magazines: There are monthly digital camera magazines available (such as Photo Review Australia) which review various different makes and models and compare them for value for money, photo quality, size, ease of use etc. They will also give you price ranges, from which you can decide on a rough budget.
Online: There is also a wealth of knowledge on the internet, camera review and comparison sites, some of which are listed below.
Specialised Camera Stores: Your next step is to spend considerable time checking out all options available in local camera stores. You’ve already given some thought to how you will use your camera (one of the first questions you’ll be asked), so seek the advice of camera specialists on the best models for your intended use. Don’t be afraid to ask what they use themselves.
Shortlisting: Things to Consider and Compare
Megapixels: There is a lot of sales hype around more megapixels. Whilst consumers seem to measure and compare their new purchases against others cameras in terms of megapixels, most of us don’t usually enlarge our photos enough to need the higher megapixel shots. Keep in mind that more megapixels usually means more money and of course, larger file sizes. Experts say 4-5Mp is still fine for up to an A4 page picture, though pixel quality and spacing differs between brands and this is where magazine or online reviews for "photo quality" can come in handy.
Digital zoom v Optical Zoom: Don’t consider Digital Zoom much of a factor when looking for a camera, as you lose pixel quality and it makes your pictures grainy. Instead, try finding a camera with better/bigger Optical Zoom and only use that when taking photos. Different types of photo software can usually crop and enlarge your photos better than using digital zooms.
Macro setting: Check the camera has a good macro setting for taking close-ups. This is another function that differs between brands. Some cameras cannot focus well as close to an object as others, so compare each model.
Shutter response / shutter lag: Look for a camera that isn’t too slow taking a shot and/or too long between shots; otherwise you’ll miss too many important ones. Most model specifications advise shutter speed. When trying them out in the shops, take note of this aspect yourself between the different models.
Menu: Check you can easily navigate between menu options. Some brands' menus are quite complex and don’t seem logical.
Manual v Automatic: Although you may not know much about taking photos with manual settings at this stage, look at cameras that help you do both. Then you have room to move when you learn more about digital photography.
Battery: Make sure you check what sort of battery each camera you shortlist uses. Do you want a model specific rechargeable lithium or universal rechargeable battery? Or are you ok with disposable batteries (consider also our environment…)? The options are personal, however the best advice is to always carry a spare charged battery or extra disposables as backup. You don’t want to be out sightseeing for the day and have your only battery run flat.
File storage options: Look into the different types of removable media (memory / file storage). Does anything you already own take the same media? That may reduce your initial outlay.
Peripherals & extras: Check what peripherals come standard with the camera and/or what additional money you may need for chargers, docking stations, batteries, memory cards etc. Also look into what photo software, if any, comes with your camera.
Buying: Getting the Best Price
Lastly, now you’ve done all your research and have decided which camera you want, you can start with the pricing war.
You never know where you are going to get the best price, follow-up service or extras thrown in. Bargaining face-to-face in your local shop may help you swing more "extras".
Some online stores may also be cheaper than bricks and mortar stores, but make sure they offer delivery insurance and signature proof of delivery; and that you’ve checked their returns policy. Don't forget about your proposed camera's warranty. Should anything go wrong with your new digital camera, how and where can you get it fixed or serviced?
There are alot of online digital camera review and comparison sites, some of which are listed below.
Australian Websites with Reviews, Guides and Comparisons
www.buy-n-shoot.com
www.photoreview.com.au
www.pcworld.idg.com.au
http://technology.ninemsn.com.au
http://zdnet.com.au/reviews
*NEW*CNET.com.au's Updated Digital Camera shopping checklist
Handy Photography Tips
Once you've purchased your new digital camera, you might like to brush up on your photography skills. Here are 25 tips for taking better photos: ninemsn/NetGuide article for better photos
Author: Nicole M, 2007 - owner of FunkyCoverz
DISCLAIMER: This article is protected by copyright laws. Any reuse of this article must be in full, without any change whatsoever and must bear the Author's details and website link.
The above content is not professional advice. It is to assist customers with sourcing information and is meant as a guide only.
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