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Types of digital cameras Compact digital cameras 
These consumer-level digital cameras are compact, lightweight and great for point-and-shoot photo-taking. They have fully automatic and scene modes; some may have semi-automatic and manual controls (highly desireable). All but the cheapest models provide very good image quality. Low to moderately priced, depending on features.
Ultra compact digital cameras 
Ultra compact digital cameras can take high quality images. They are very small, lightweight, and convenient to carry. Ultra-compacts may have more features than compact cameras. Buttons and dials are small, though usually easy to access. Moderately priced, depending on features.
Advanced digital cameras 
“Prosumer” digital cameras are geared to advanced amateurs with skill levels between consumer and professional. They will have high quality lenses and advanced features for creative control. Some have long telephoto zoom lenses. Most will accept accessories including lenses, filters, remote controls and external flashes.
Moderate to high priced.
Digital single lens reflex cameras 
DSLR cameras, used by professionals and photo enthusiasts, are top-of-the-line. They have outstanding optics, produce high resolution images and accept interchangeable lenses and sophisticated accessories. They perform much better in low light than consumer cameras or phones, which have small sensors. DSLRs function automatically but also have a full range of manual controls. You usually buy the DSLR body, and purchase lenses separately.Like these cameras, the price of professional-level lenses can be jaw-dropping. DSLR models include entry level, mid-level (semi-pro) and professional. Moderately high priced to extremely expensive. Features to Look For Minimum compact digital camera features 
Digital cameras come packed with features, more than some will ever use. But some features are more important than others so, for general photo taking, get a digital camera with these features at the minimum: Megapixels - enough to meet image quality and printing needs. Unless you make huge prints, six to eight megapixels is more than adequate, and most come with more than this; even inexpensive cameras now take large beautiful outdoor or well-lit photos. Don't get caught up in advertising hype that leads many to believe that more megapixels are always better. It is true that the more megapixels, the larger size prints you can make without images becoming pixelated or jagged-looking. More megapixels also allows larger areas of images to be cropped and still have detailed prints. Most digital camera owners print 4×6, the most frequently used print size, and occasionally up to 8×10. If you fit into this category, a camera with a resolution between six to eight megapixels should serve you well. Enlarged prints may show signs of pixelation but only when viewed close up. The quality of the images you get nowadays is mostly determined by factors other than the number of megapixels. Automatic features - Auto focus, auto exposure, auto white balance. 3X - 4X or more optical zoom - digital cameras usually have both optical and digital zoom. Digital zoom is when the camera enlages the image so you can better see the subject, if it's far off. It's a useless feature; more on this later. LCD monitor - mini screen built into the back of a camera. Used to compose and view a scene, review photos on the memory card and to access camera menus. LCD displays have improved considerably, but there are still times when it may not be viewable in bright light. A monitor that swivels in all directions is worth paying extra for. Viewfinder - as the size of LCDs have increased, few compact digital cameras have viewfinders. But if you take a lot of photos in bright light, consider getting a camera that does. Also, by pressing a camera to the face and looking through the viewfinder, the camera is steadied and helps minimize camera shake. Compression - compression is a method of reducing the file size of a digital image, which also degrades image qulity. Purchase a camera that lets you change compression and picture quality settings. Macro mode - for close-up photography of flowers, insects, coins, etc. A nice feature, but it will require off-camera lighting unless you're shooting outdoors. Automatic flash - Illuminates a subject when there is not enough available light. A pop-up flash can be more effective at reducing red-eye. Only good out to about 15 feet. Consider getting a camera with a hot shoe and purchasing an external flash. Focus assist lamp - visible or infrared lamp that helps a digital camera focus better when taking photos in low light. A useful feature. Removable media - you should be able to remove a memory card from the camera so you can use additional cards if needed. Your computer should have a slot to read them (or an add-on card reading attachment) so you can avoid installing special photo-downloading software. Desirable compact digital camera features 
Beyond the basics, there are other desirable features to seriously consider when buying a digital camera. Some of these features have been significantly refined and are much more effective than when initially introduced. Optical image stabilization - Image stabilization helps prevent blurred images due to camera movement. Make sure you get optical, not digital, IS. Creative control - Buy a camera with advanced controls such as manual and/or semi-automatic modes, Exposure Compensation and manual focusing. Telephoto zoom - Buy the best one you can afford. Standard lenses are 30-70 mm; get a zoom lens that's at least 150 mm, and with aperture f/2.8. High ISO - Reduce the effects of camera shake when taking pictures in low-light ... increase a camera's sensitivity to light so you can turn up the shutter speed. Indoor photos may be taken without a flash, resulting in more natural colours, when using high ISO numbers. Digital single lens reflex cameras are superior to compact cameras and phones at high ISO. What exactly is ISO? Find out here. Face detection - The camera detects faces in a scene and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure and flash output. Some cameras let you lock on a specific subject so if he or she moves, focus will follow. Variable LCD - Variable LCDs, also known as articulating LCDs, twist and tilt so you can take shots at difficult angles and still see the viewscreen. Particularly useful for close-up shots and self-portraits. Hot shoe - A host shoe is used for mounting an external flash, which produces much better results than the tiny built-in flash. You'll be able to take big bright crisp sports pictures indoors at a distance. Burst mode - Shoot continuously in rapid succession using burst mode. For optimal results you'll need a camera with a fast processor, and a high speed memory card. Diopter adjustment dial - A diopter adjustment dial is particularly useful you don't want to wear eye glasses when taking photos. Entry-level DSLR features to look for 
Many people buying a digital single lens reflex camera for the first time start with an entry-level model. Moderately priced models are often larger and may be better suited to someone with large hands or wishing to use heavy lenses. Higher-end models generally offer features that are considered necessary by professionals but might not be useful for the casual photographer. The main reasons individuals buy a DSLR is to be able to use interchangeable lenses and external flashes, to take better pictures in low light or at high burst speeds, and to have better control over the image output. Only you can decide which level DSLR is best for you. Make a decision based on your current level of expertise and your current and future needs. Remember: the best camera is the one that you enjoy using, whatever its features list! Entry-level digital single lens reflex cameras have a number of the same features as compact digital cameras. Some models even offer a video mode. Entry-level DSLRs have plenty of resolution. Their sensor size is larger than that of a compact camera or phone, which affords vastly improved high ISO and low light capabilities. When buying an entry-level DSLR, take a look for these features: Lenses – Your camera should allow you to switch lenses. This means you can upgrade to a better lens, or have several different kinds to switch out as needed. The single most important thing you can do to upgrade your camera and take better pictures is to buy a lens with the biggest aperture you can afford. Aperture is the size of the hole that lets the light in. You can adjust this on a lens, but the largest size is fixed, and will depend on how much you can afford to spend on the lens. Aperture size is described by something called 'f-stop'. Large aperture lenses (with low f-stop numbers) will allow in more light, letting you shoot in low light conditions, or letting you increase the shutter speed for sports photography indoors without resulting in dark photos. Typical good aperture sizes are f/2.8 of f/1.4, but can be very expensive. Autofocus lenses - some entry-level DSLRs do not have built-in focus motors, and rely on motors placed inside the lens. Some older lenses do not have a built-in focus motor, which means that in some cases, auto-focus lenses will act as manual focus lenses when mounted on an entry-level DSLR. This is generally true for older lenses. Image stabilization - lens or body: some brands offer image stabilization systems built in the body of the camera so that all lenses become stabilized, while other put the system inside some of their lenses. With this feature, you can shoot at low shutter speed without blur from camera shake ... often caused by unavoidable tremors in your arm, or even breathing! Automatic sensor cleaning - most brands offer sensor cleaning systems on all their DSLRs. These systems help to remove dust on the sensor. |