Photography has come so far. Where it used to be that a camera was a luxury, now everyone can have a camera to record their memories. Gone are the days of going to a camera store to find a camera. Today you can buy a digital camera right at the checkout counter of most superstores. However, you do get what you pay for when it comes to cameras. So to make sure you are getting the most for you money when purchasing a camera, follow these tips.
Price does matter. Cheap and inexpensive are two different things. You can get a camera that is cheap in terms of money and it is also cheap in terms of construction. Or you can find a quality camera that is inexpensive. It is your choice, but if you want a camera that will continue to provide you with great pictures and quick response for several years you should go with a camera that is inexpensive.
So how do you know if a low cost camera is cheap or quality? Very simple, do your research. A camera is something that you should have a little background on before you make the purchase, especially if you plan to buy it from a department store. Search for consumer reviews on the internet for different models of cameras. Many online shopping sites post customer reviews of the products they sell. Do a search for point and shoot digital cameras on a site such as Amazon and then sort the results by customer review. This will give you a good idea of what real people think about the different models. You can’t beat a real life review for truthfulness.
Features. What do you want out of your camera? If you want a camera that has several different modes such as scene selection, night photography, etc., plan to pay a little extra. You will pay for the extra features so if you don’t plan to use them find a camera that doesn’t give you all the bells and whistles. However, I will tell you that having the extra features is nice. If you read the manual and learn to use them, scene selections can make the difference between an okay photo and a great photo.
Megapixels. Often discount cameras have a low number of megapixels, also known as MP on a camera. If you don’t plan to print your photos as enlargements, you will be able to get by with a lower number of megapixels. However, if you want high quality photos that you can enlarge go with a higher number. No matter what, don’t settle for a camera with less than 7 MP. You will be disappointed in the quality.
A quality camera doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but you will get what you pay for. Research different models before you plan to purchase, or go to a dedicated camera store where the salespeople know about the cameras. Once you have a good camera you can take wonderful pictures!
