Finding The Best Digital Camera
Every digital camera manufacturers in the world are always in a race to pop a new models. There are always some ads about new models each and every months. One manufacturer boast their 10 mega pixels cameras, others are proud about their 4x optical zoom plus 10x digital zoom cameras. It doesn't stop there though. Weeks later you see ads about some portable camera with hi-speed SD memory card, built-in mic, stereo surround sound with stunning movie recording capability. Of course each and every manufacturers claim that their models are the best in the market.
This kind of race between manufacturers can actually be confusing for the potential consumers. Imagine you have the money in your pocket ready to buy the perfect camera but you are worried that the most sophisticated camera you could buy with your budget will become obsolete in just a couple of months. If this scenario sounds just like you please don't worry too much about the race. Just think what is the main reason you want a camera? Is it to capture those great events in your life so you can make sure the great moments are not lost and forgotten?
The main point in finding the right digital camera is to find one that will fit your need and lifestyle best. So instead of buying the latest and most expensive one you should look at the important factors to consider when looking for the "best digital camera" for YOU.
MegaPixels
This is usually the main selling point that gets displayed in big bold text when you see a digital camera ad. However, this is actually the least important point to consider. The megapixels (MP) simply state how big are the pictures taken with the camera. The higher the megapixels then the bigger the picture and also the bigger the filesize. A six megapixels picture will take about 2 - 2.5 megabytes in space while a 3 mp picture take about 500 kb of space. The number will vary between camera models and also the picture you're taking.
You should be realistic about this one. Are you planning to print billboard-size pictures? If not then a 6 or 8 megapixels camera will do fine.
LCD Size
Some digital camera models have a viewfinder plus an LCD. But the truth is a viewfinder is the most useless feature for a digital camera since it only covers about 80% of the actual view. The actual pictures taken with a digital camera is what displayed on the LCD so having a more than decent LCD is certainly in order. The best LCD size would be 2.5 inches or higher but size is not the only thing that matters. The LCD should display good quality pictures even when you're outdoor where light is abundant.
Zoom
Here's the deal. Optical zoom is good, digital zoom is not. Digital zoom will only produce crappy images so if you think a camera with 10x digital zoom is fantastic you're wrong. Just pay attention to the optical zoom feature. A 3x and 4x optical zoom is common for point-and-shoot cameras but you can find higher zoom level from digital SLR cameras.
Video Quality
Sure you could use a camcorder for this and it will record better quality videos but a good digital still camera should also provide excellent video capture quality. Let's face it we don't always carry a camera and camcorder all the time. And even though a digital camera is for taking still pictures there will come a time when you feel the moments should be best recorded as a movie. If the camera you bought has crappy video quality you will definitely regret it.
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Just remember that the best digital camera is actually any camera that you enjoy using over and over again. Not a super sophisticated one that you use only once and left to rust in the box.
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