Buying a digital camera can be an entirely confusing
process--even if it's not your first digital camera. The problem
is that there are so many cameras on the market and new ones seem to
pop up every day. Just when you think you have decided which camera you
want, a whole
new crop of "faster, sharper, better" cameras are introduced. Eventually
though you have to narrow things down and make a decision--otherwise
you'll just be reading photo magazines instead of taking pictures. And
the reality is that virtually all of the digital cameras available take
great
pictures, the real question is finding one that fits your particular
needs and that you can afford comfortably.
Perhaps the first thing you should consider in buying a
digital camera is identifying what type of camera you're looking for
(or what type of camera you should be looking for) so that you
don't waste time looking at cameras that are far above (or below) your
skill level or your needs. As you'll see in the following article
(parts of which I originally wrote as a cover story for PC Photo Digital Magazine) trying to divide cameras into specific categories is not always easy
because camera manufacturers keep redefining them. The good news is
that as the manufacturers introduce new models even inexpensive cameras
are getting more and more sophsiticated. Better yet, prices are continually dropping even on the higher-end cameras.
While I don't have the time (or the energy) to exhaustively
review every new camera that comes down the pike (and there are several
sites already doing it better than I could ever hope to), I think that
this buying guide will put you onto the right path in search of that
camera that is right for you. And since I owe no particular
allegiance to any camera company, any suggestions I might make are
genuine. If you are looking for detail reviews of specific cameras or
accessories, then check out one of the sites listed below. But before
you click, take the time to read the other pages in this buying guide
and you'll be a much more educated consumer!
Oh, also this thought: It's easy to get caught up in
thinking a better (or more expensive) camera will make you a better
photographer--and good cameras and lenses are really great to have. But
photographs are made in your mind and imagination and I'd rather have
one great idea and a mediocre camera than a thousand good cameras and no
ideas! Keep in mind too, megapixels don't make megapictures--you make pictures great. My book The Joy of Digital Photography
has sold more than 50,000 copies and it was illustrated almost entirely
with 5mp cameras--the quality of the photos and reproductions from
those 5mp cameras is phenomenal. Today, of course, most of my cameras are 12mp or higher, but I still use my 5mp cameras and make excellent enlargements from them.
The best camera in the world, after all, is the one between your ears.
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