September 3rd, 2011 | 
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Owning a digital camera is nowadays as normal as owning a cellphone. Rapid technological advances made digital photography extremely affordable, compared to only a few years ago. As a matter of fact, if one looks at major retailers for consumer electronics, it seems like the market is virtually flooded with digital cameras of all price points, various different features, and the like. Yet, this wide variety of products available makes it difficult to choose the appropriate model. We will look at some of the main points that one should keep in mind when deciding for a certain model. Consumer feedback usually shows the following main points to be of utmost importance when deciding for a new camera.
1. Number of Megapixels / Resolution
Megapixels, or millions of pixels, essentially determine the potential resolutions of an image taken with a camera’s. While images at very small, say thumbnail size almost always look “sharp”, resolution becomes important when trying to “blow up” the digital image. For example, if going extreme and trying to get a 16″ x 20″ print off a digital image, 8 MPs (Megapixel), calculated by a resolution of 3200 x 2400 pixel, are required to get decent quality. Yet, nowadays, most consumer electronic cameras have at least 6, many even 10 or more megapixel. Having said that, if you only foresee taking regular size photo prints, e.g. 8″ x 10″ photo sizes, nowadays 8+ MPs cameras on the market will be definitely sufficient. Also, the choice for higher Mega Pixels is also driven by the main purpose for your digital camera. If you only plan on talking pictures around the house instead of say panoramic views or extreme-distance pictures that require higher PMs and higher zoom levels, common household – consumer electronic digital cameras are definitely sufficient.
2. Zoom capabilities
Number two on the list to watch when purchasing a new digital camera appropriate for your specific usage are the zoom capabilities. Higher zoom capabilities, say 5 – times and higher digital zoom, can become important when you plan on taking pictures of e.g. sport events when you are fairly distant to the actual object – the same holds true when you plan on using your digital camera for e.g. hunting or other outdoor activities that require you to be fairly distant from the actual object you are trying to take picture of.
Note that there are essentially two different kinds of zoom, so-called digital zoom and optical zoom. True improvements for digital photography will really only come with optical zoom. Digital zoom only pulls objects closer while jeopardizing the resolution; in a way, it simply blows up the object from the distance and makes it appear bigger. So do not get too excited when the salesperson in the retailer you are looking for your new camera throws large zoom – numbers at you. Make sure you are both talking about optical, not digital zoom. For everyday purposes, an optical zoom of 3x and higher is definitely sufficient.
3. Other factors to consider
Believe it, or not, but nowadays digital cameras – at least in the lower and mid-level price points – have actually become some kind of a fashion object. As such, looks and feel of the camera, together with the accessories provided with it, e.g. a fashionable bag, are number three on the important items when purchasing a camera for most consumers. The marketing departments of the major digital camera manufacturers like Canon, Sony, Panasonic, etc. picked up on that and that is the reason why you nowadays can see digital cameras in all kinds of various colors and also different designs.