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How to Buy a Digital Camera
Digital photography keeps getting better. Higher resolution, more sophisticated controls, and better technology all make taking great pictures easier than ever.
The Big Picture
From resolution to storage and from exposure control to white balance, we'll explain the digital camera terms you need to know. more
The Specs Explained
Buying a digital camera isn't all about megapixels. We'll translate the jargon and tell you just how important each specification is to your purchase. more
Digital Camera Shopping Tips
Before you head to the store, check out our advice for making a smart digital camera choice.
Digital Camera Shopping Tips
Ready to buy a digital camera? Here are PC World's recommendations:
Match megapixels to your use: Most point-and-shoot cameras offer at least 5 megapixels, which is plenty for producing 11-by-14-inch prints. Cameras with more megapixels will yield even larger prints and allow you to blow up a part of an image with less likelihood that the print will be blurry. If you plan to make only 4-by-6-inch prints, you don't have to shoot at the camera's highest resolution--and as a result, you can fit more shots on your memory card.
Look for rechargeable batteries and a charger: The cost of disposable batteries adds up over the long run. Some cameras can use AA batteries of any type--disposable or rechargeable. That capability can be helpful if your rechargeable batteries run out of juice and you don't want to wait while they replenish.
Disregard digital zoom: Most cameras offer at least 3X optical zoom--and some boast an optical zoom as high as 15X. But sometimes vendors tout a high total zoom that includes digital zoom, which you should disregard: Digital zoom produces photos that are inferior to those produced with an optical zoom.
Look for a low-light focusing aid: Some cameras have auxiliary lights that help them focus in dim settings. That's important for many indoor shots.
Try the camera before you buy: Some cameras have commands and menus that are easier to use than others, a comparison you can make only with a hands-on trial. Also evaluate the lag time between when you press the shutter button and when the camera actually takes the picture. Try the zoom lens--does it operate quickly and smoothly? Find out how long you must wait between taking pictures. And try the LCD viewfinder--in the sun if possible--to determine how easy it is to read.
Give extra consideration to a camera with a good selection of software: Look for useful packages such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, Ulead PhotoImpact, and Corel Snapfire for editing images, as well as applications for organizing and sharing them.
Don't base your decision on video capability: Any still camera's ability to take moving pictures is limited. If you want to shoot video, invest in a camcorder dedicated to the job.
Consider investing in a memory card reader or a camera dock: A memory card reader acts like an external hard drive attached to your PC or laptop, allowing you to download pictures directly from your camera's storage media. Many newer laptops have one or more memory card slots built in, as do some inkjet printers. If you have a second memory card, you can keep shooting while the images download, rather than having to keep the camera hooked up to your PC. Alternatively, some cameras come with a dock or offer one as an option, and some of these docks offer a dedicated button for uploading all of your new photos on a memory card. A dock also charges the camera's battery.
The Specs Explained
A digital camera's megapixel count is an important spec--but it is by no means the only one. Start with pixels, but make sure to check a few other important numbers when considering a purchase.
A camera's megapixel rating is another way of expressing its resolution. The higher the megapixel number, the higher the resolution. In general, higher-resolution cameras let you produce larger, higher-quality prints. Even a 5-megapixel camera (which is rare these days) can produce images of high enough resolution to produce crisp 11-by-14 prints. The trade-off is that higher-resolution images take up more space on your camera's memory card, so you may be able to take only a small number of shots before you have to download them to your computer. The solution, of course, is to purchase a larger-capacity memory card.
So if you're interested in producing mostly small snapshots or images to send via e-mail or post on the Web, you probably don't need anything better than a 5-megapixel camera. If you want to create large copies of your masterworks, you'll want a camera that captures 6 megapixels or more.
Important: Battery Life
Some digital cameras quickly drain batteries--especially alkaline batteries--which can be expensive and annoying. Battery life and cost often aren't related; some inexpensive cameras have great battery life, and some expensive ones use up a charge quickly. Either way, it's a good idea to buy spare batteries.
Somewhat Important: Megapixels
This figure provides a measure of how much fine detail a camera can capture. With more megapixels, you can print larger photos with better image quality. But most current models offer at least 5 megapixels, which is enough to make a sharp 11-by-14-inch print.
Somewhat Important: Exposure Controls
Some models offer aperture and shutter priority modes, as well as full manual control. Aperture and shutter priority modes allow you to customize the lens opening and shutter speed, respectively. Serious photographers will value these controls, as well as full manual control. Scene modes automate exposure settings, and some point-and-shoots offer many such presets, though accessing the bulk of them is likely to require a trip to the LCD menu.
Somewhat Important: Focal Range
Cameras with greater focal range can zoom out to fit more into a shot or zoom in to fill the frame with the subject. Optical zoom produces sharper images than digital zoom. All new point-and-shoot and advanced cameras offer at least a 3X zoom, and some offer up to 15X zoom (the zoom of a single-lens reflex camera depends on the lens). However, using powerful magnification makes the camera more susceptible to slight shaking, which can result in a blurry shot. If you want a camera with a powerful optical zoom, look for one that offers optical image stabilization.
Somewhat Important: Manual Focus Override
Focusing the camera yourself can be more accurate than using automatic focus in some situations. SLRs offer a focus ring on their lenses, as do most advanced models. Point-and-shoot cameras, however, require that you use a button to adjust manual focus (if they offer manual focus at all). Some point-and-shoots provide only a stepped manual focus, meaning that you can set its focus only at a few predetermined distances.
The Big Picture
From resolution to storage and from exposure control to white balance, we'll explain the digital camera terms you need to know. more
The Specs Explained
Buying a digital camera isn't all about megapixels. We'll translate the jargon and tell you just how important each specification is to your purchase. more
Digital Camera Shopping Tips
Before you head to the store, check out our advice for making a smart digital camera choice.
Digital Camera Shopping Tips
Ready to buy a digital camera? Here are PC World's recommendations:
Match megapixels to your use: Most point-and-shoot cameras offer at least 5 megapixels, which is plenty for producing 11-by-14-inch prints. Cameras with more megapixels will yield even larger prints and allow you to blow up a part of an image with less likelihood that the print will be blurry. If you plan to make only 4-by-6-inch prints, you don't have to shoot at the camera's highest resolution--and as a result, you can fit more shots on your memory card.
Look for rechargeable batteries and a charger: The cost of disposable batteries adds up over the long run. Some cameras can use AA batteries of any type--disposable or rechargeable. That capability can be helpful if your rechargeable batteries run out of juice and you don't want to wait while they replenish.
Disregard digital zoom: Most cameras offer at least 3X optical zoom--and some boast an optical zoom as high as 15X. But sometimes vendors tout a high total zoom that includes digital zoom, which you should disregard: Digital zoom produces photos that are inferior to those produced with an optical zoom.
Look for a low-light focusing aid: Some cameras have auxiliary lights that help them focus in dim settings. That's important for many indoor shots.
Try the camera before you buy: Some cameras have commands and menus that are easier to use than others, a comparison you can make only with a hands-on trial. Also evaluate the lag time between when you press the shutter button and when the camera actually takes the picture. Try the zoom lens--does it operate quickly and smoothly? Find out how long you must wait between taking pictures. And try the LCD viewfinder--in the sun if possible--to determine how easy it is to read.
Give extra consideration to a camera with a good selection of software: Look for useful packages such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, Ulead PhotoImpact, and Corel Snapfire for editing images, as well as applications for organizing and sharing them.
Don't base your decision on video capability: Any still camera's ability to take moving pictures is limited. If you want to shoot video, invest in a camcorder dedicated to the job.
Consider investing in a memory card reader or a camera dock: A memory card reader acts like an external hard drive attached to your PC or laptop, allowing you to download pictures directly from your camera's storage media. Many newer laptops have one or more memory card slots built in, as do some inkjet printers. If you have a second memory card, you can keep shooting while the images download, rather than having to keep the camera hooked up to your PC. Alternatively, some cameras come with a dock or offer one as an option, and some of these docks offer a dedicated button for uploading all of your new photos on a memory card. A dock also charges the camera's battery.
The Specs Explained
A digital camera's megapixel count is an important spec--but it is by no means the only one. Start with pixels, but make sure to check a few other important numbers when considering a purchase.
A camera's megapixel rating is another way of expressing its resolution. The higher the megapixel number, the higher the resolution. In general, higher-resolution cameras let you produce larger, higher-quality prints. Even a 5-megapixel camera (which is rare these days) can produce images of high enough resolution to produce crisp 11-by-14 prints. The trade-off is that higher-resolution images take up more space on your camera's memory card, so you may be able to take only a small number of shots before you have to download them to your computer. The solution, of course, is to purchase a larger-capacity memory card.
So if you're interested in producing mostly small snapshots or images to send via e-mail or post on the Web, you probably don't need anything better than a 5-megapixel camera. If you want to create large copies of your masterworks, you'll want a camera that captures 6 megapixels or more.
Important: Battery Life
Some digital cameras quickly drain batteries--especially alkaline batteries--which can be expensive and annoying. Battery life and cost often aren't related; some inexpensive cameras have great battery life, and some expensive ones use up a charge quickly. Either way, it's a good idea to buy spare batteries.
Somewhat Important: Megapixels
This figure provides a measure of how much fine detail a camera can capture. With more megapixels, you can print larger photos with better image quality. But most current models offer at least 5 megapixels, which is enough to make a sharp 11-by-14-inch print.
Somewhat Important: Exposure Controls
Some models offer aperture and shutter priority modes, as well as full manual control. Aperture and shutter priority modes allow you to customize the lens opening and shutter speed, respectively. Serious photographers will value these controls, as well as full manual control. Scene modes automate exposure settings, and some point-and-shoots offer many such presets, though accessing the bulk of them is likely to require a trip to the LCD menu.
Somewhat Important: Focal Range
Cameras with greater focal range can zoom out to fit more into a shot or zoom in to fill the frame with the subject. Optical zoom produces sharper images than digital zoom. All new point-and-shoot and advanced cameras offer at least a 3X zoom, and some offer up to 15X zoom (the zoom of a single-lens reflex camera depends on the lens). However, using powerful magnification makes the camera more susceptible to slight shaking, which can result in a blurry shot. If you want a camera with a powerful optical zoom, look for one that offers optical image stabilization.
Somewhat Important: Manual Focus Override
Focusing the camera yourself can be more accurate than using automatic focus in some situations. SLRs offer a focus ring on their lenses, as do most advanced models. Point-and-shoot cameras, however, require that you use a button to adjust manual focus (if they offer manual focus at all). Some point-and-shoots provide only a stepped manual focus, meaning that you can set its focus only at a few predetermined distances.