Digital Camera Megapixels
The number of megapixels in a digital camera is not nearly as important today as it was when digital cameras were first being sold. Don’t buy a more expensive camera because the salesperson says it has more megapixels so it is better.
All digital cameras sold today have a minimum of 5 or 6 megapixels and this is sufficient enough for the average user. The only reason a person would need to buy a digital camera with more megapixels is if they intend to use the pictures they take on a billboard or blow an image up to an enormous size.
Spend money based on other features a digital camera offers because megapixels are no longer a selling feature, they are just an added bonus.
Choosing a Level of Optical Zoom
Unlike megapixels, optical zoom is one of the most important features to look for in a digital camera because it will be the most used. The higher number of optical zoom a digital camera has, the better it is and the more satsified the user will be.
Optical zoom enables the user to take better pictures at farther distances. The average consumer should aim for 5X optical zoom or better for best performance and satisfaction.
Shot Stabilization and Picture Settings
All digital cameras do not come with the same features. Some of the best features to look for are shot stabilization and a variety of different picture settings. Shot stabilization is a newer feature that some digital cameras offer. It enables a photographer to take better photos because it compensates for a shaky hand, and makes the use of a tripod unnecessary in some circumstances.
A lot of good cameras will also offer different picture settings, such as a portrait setting or a scenery setting. These different picture settings can do some pretty cool things.
A portrait setting is a fun feature to look for on a digital camera because it will fade the background of a photo to make the people stand out. It is not a must have in a digital camera because there are many software programs available that can edit the background of a photo, but it is something to keep an eye out for.
Self Timer and Shutter Speed
Not all digital cameras are made equal when it comes to shutter speed. A faster shutter speed is a mechanism that will allow a digital camera to capture a photo without it becoming blurry. Spend more money on a digital camera with a faster shutter speed because it will be worth the expense in the long run. A digital SLR camera is a good choice.
A self-timer will come in handy, but is not a must have for the average digital camera user. Do not buy a digital camera simply because it comes with s a self-timing mechanism because it is fairly standard.