Online Camera Reviews, and Why They Can Simplify the Process of Buying a Digital Camera

Online camera reviews have greatly mollified the unfortunately intimidating task of buying a digital camera. With such an abundance of models from so many manufacturers out there, all of which are hawking their specific features, it can be easy to become confused. Finally, the world wide web has given us the means to share endless amounts of data with each other, and everything from expert recommendations to user experience is now at our fingertips for us to read and consider.
 

With that in mind, here are some of the most important points to factor into your final decision:

First and foremost, do NOT buy a camera based solely on it's mega pixel count. The higher mega pixel camera takes the same quality of photo as the one with a lower pixel count. It's capable of taking a larger image, but the dots per inch (dpi), which dictates the quality, is the same. Usually, something around 5 mega pixels is ideal for most users, but consult other online camera reviews to learn what works best in specific scenarios.

On the contrary, one thing that you definitely DO want is an Image Stabilizer option. This essentially means you can take clear, crisp movies and photos even if you are shaking, and all without having to utilize a tripod.

In spite of what you may have heard in other online camera reviews, DIGITAL zoom is more or less a waste of time; it only enhances the photo digitally, so it just makes the pixels larger as you zoom in. OPTICAL zoom, conversely, is true zoom, so it zooms in without loss in quality because it actually uses the LENS option to zoom. Something around a 5x optical zoom is a good place to start (and remember, the digital zoom is basically irrelevant.)

Be sure to get a camera that has an option to connect an A/V cable. Showing off your images to family and friends is significantly more fun and exciting when showing them on your television than when huddling everybody around your computer or, even worse, the little screen on the back of your digital camera.

Although the importance of having a viewfinder is often overlooked in the current digital age, don't forget about the quick, easy framing option it offers. Since some of the viewfinder windows produced now are ridiculously small, be sure to get one that measures a minimum of 2 inches diagonally.

Try to purchase a camera that takes standard AA or AAA rechargeable batteries, and buy a battery charger that is able to charge your batteries in around an hour or so.

You'll want a large memory card holding at least 500MB (preferably a gigabyte), and one that operates at 120X speed or higher - or in other words, writes at 9 megabytes per second.

For movies, be sure that the camera has a minimum of 30 frames per second, and STEREO sound.

Finally, try to buy from one of the major, trusted brands, such as Nikon, Fujifilm, Canon, or Olympus. And don't be afraid to splurge on the extended warranty - remember, this is a significant purchase.

As far as exactly which digital camera to purchase, that is a matter of personal preference. I hope you find these tips useful, and remember to consult as many online camera reviews as it takes to help you make your final decision. A great place to get started is right here. You'll find enough online camera reviews to keep you busy for a long time, and hopefully help you make your decision!Recommended Site