My wife and I decided to buy a digital camera as a Christmas present ourselves last year. We chose to buy a Canon SD600 Digital Elph. I will briefly go through the reasons why we chose this particular model. This may not be the right camera for you, but I hope you can still use the method for choosing a digital camera that is right for you.

First of all, since I did not need advice from a local camera store, we chose to buy our digital camera online.

We chose to order our digital camera from NewEgg. NewEgg has long been a trusted online retailer for computer parts, software, and computers. They have an excellent reputation for service and great price. Also, they sell digital cameras.

This digital camera was for my wife to carry in her purse, and for us to use on vacations.

It's been very inconvenient to carry a large digital SLR on our last few vacations. I had been thinking a compact point-and-shoot digital camera would be nice, and was glad my wife proposed we get for Christmas. The type of photography we wanted to use this camera for meant a compact point-and-shoot digital camera would be ideal.

My wife had seen a very tiny digital camera and suggested a camera like the one she saw.

The camera or she was referring to, had very low resolution, and was made by a consumer electronics company not a photographic company. I pointed out that a digital camera made by a real photographic camera manufacturer would not cost much more. I also told her, but I believe we would be much happier with a higher quality camera in the long run. My wife is wonderful, and of course agreed. We did agree, that we wanted a small compact digital camera. Size was a primary factor.

I firmly believe that Canon and Nikon are the two best camera manufacturers available in consumer cameras

Both are well-known for their excellent lenses and high-quality cameras. I am more familiar with Canon, and decided to stick with that.

Even though this was meant to just be a fun camera for my wife, he never know when you will take that one picture that becomes a real treasure.

It would be a real shame if that picture cannot be enlarged due to poor resolution. I always recommend at least a six megapixel digital camera because this will give results similar to 35mm. Again, the price difference between a lower resolution camera and a six megapixel camera is not that big. We chose to concentrate on at least a six megapixel camera.

Type of memory is often chosen by the choosing the brand of camera.

Both Nikon and Canon tend to use CompactFlash or secure Digital (SD). Because both these memory formats are popular among many manufacturers, both memory formats are well supported. It is easy to find good deals. In fact, we got a free 1 GB secure Digital memory card when we bought our Canon SD600 Digital Elph from NewEgg.

My wife is excited about the movie capability of the camera, I couldn't care less.

It has some image effect features I also have no use for. It does have a nice optical zoom, which is more important. It is also one of the smallest digital cameras available with a reasonable resolution.

The camera came from NewEgg with all the cables and software that it should have.

Also included was the battery and charger to fit. Nothing was stripped out of it.

Our Canon SD600 Digital Elph was made for sale in the United States.

It has the USA warranty. I did not order any kind of extended warranty.

It came down to a choice between the Canon SD600 and the Canon SD630.

Both have the same resolution, and same zoom lens. The SD630 has a larger preview screen. The SD600 is just a hair smaller, and has an optical viewfinder were the 630 does not. With an optical viewfinder and a price about $40 less than the SD 630, the Canon SD600 Digital Elph was the final winner.

So far we're both happy with the Canon SD600 Digital Elph.

It responds fast with little lag. It takes great digital photographs. It is extremely small and very convenient. Now, I just need to dig into that user manual. It's a great camera for its intended purpose. I can definitely recommend Canon SD600 Digital Elph, and recommend purchasing it from NewEgg.

Optical zoom range

• Point-and-shoot digital cameras do not allow you to change lenses. Ranges generally go from 3x to 10x. Do not count digital zoom in this factor.

Lens speed

• This is a measure of how much light the lens lets through to the sensor. A smaller number is better. Many point-shoot-digital cameras have F5.6, F6.7, or even F8.0 lenses. Faster lenses are F2.8 but this is very rare in point-shoot models. Lenses tend to get slower as you zoom in more.

External flash hot shoe

• Usually not on compact models but some larger point-and-shoot models have them. All digital single lens reflexes have them. Another thing to glance at is the distance the built in flash is from the lens. A built in flash that is farther from the lens will show less red-eye. Unfortunately, small cameras do not have much room to move the flash away from the lens.

Larger preview screen

• Personally, I only take an occassional quick glance at preview screens when shooting a digital camera. I prefer optical viewfinders which do not get washed out by daylight. I find the histogram a more useful use of the screen for a quick check of the exposure. A large screen is nice, but still not the best way to view digital photos.

Rechargeble batteries

• Digital cameras will use tons of batteries. Many cameras come with a rechargeble battery. I suggest also ordering a backup so you can keep shooting after one goes out.

Ok, that's about it.

To Summarize choosing a digital camera

• Do not go by the advice of a saleperson at a consumer electronics store.
• Buy at a local camera store if you feel you need advice.
• You can save money buying your camea online.
• What kind of photography you plan to shoot should determine what style digital camera you buy. A casual shooter should look a compact camera. The family historian should look at the larger, more versatile point-and-shoot models. The soccer mom needs an optical viewfinder or digital single lens reflex. A dedicated hobbiest will want a high end point-and-shoot digital camera or a mid to low range digital single lens reflex. A professional should not need to read this, but will want high to mid range digital single lens reflexes and also will need a spare.
• Buy a digital camera brand that has a history in photography – Canon and Nikon are the best examples.
• Buy a camera in the 6 megapixel – 8 megapixel range of resolution. This resolution will provide equal or better than 35mm film quality (providing insurance from quick obsolecence).
• Do not buy a camera just to be compatible with digital camera memory you already have. Secure Digital and Compact Flash will tend to have the best prices.
• Do not let nearly useless features determine what digital camera you buy. Stick with features that are really important on a digital camera.
• Make the price you are comparing includes everything the manufacturer normally includes in the box.
• Order a USA warrantee if you live in the US.
• Once you have several models that met the above guidelines, compare the remaining models on useful features.

I hope I have covered everything, no doubt I'll find a few things I've missed from time to time. If you have a question or think I've missed something important, let my know from the link on the feedback page.

You will invest at least a few hundred dollars in your digital camera. You have a right to expect it to work when you get it and not to break prematurely. No matter what brand digital camera you choose, occasionally something goes wrong and I will need to be repaired or replaced. This is where the warrantee becomes important.

In the United States you may be given a choice

A USA warrantee, or an import. If you live in the United States, the manufacturer may not honor a warrantee from outside the U.S. This is because the camera is gray market, meaning it was imported outside of the manufacturers distribution network.

Does that mean if I buy a camera without a USA warrantee and it breaks I will have to pay to get it fixed?

Not necessarily. Good businesses that offer digital cameras without a USA warrantee will usually offer to warrantee the camera themselves. This does mean you will only be able to deal with the store you bought it from, not the manufacturer.

This is ok, but there is a drawback

What if the store goes out of business? You may be left without any warrantee. Personally, the few dollars you would save are not worth it to me. I suggest sticking with the USA warrantee.

I know many of my readers are from outside the United States

I do not know at this time how the manufacturers handle warrantees outside the United States. I would not be able to give accurate information. If anyone is familiar with warrantees in other countries I would appreciate you letting me know how they work. That way I can inform others here. You can contact me by email on the feedback page.

What about extended warrantees?

Many stores may offer an extended warranty for an additional amount. I am not sure if I should recommend them or not. Chances are, if your digital camera works properly for the first year while under warrantee, it should work fine the next year or two the extended warrantee would cover. That is, baring physical damage that would not be covered anyway. It is really a choice you will have to decide on yourself. You can also check your credit card. Your credit card may automatically extend the warrantee itself.

Almost finished

The conclusion of choosing a digital camera

There are some practices that you find occasionally practiced by businesses. One practice is removing items that are originally included with the camera. Sometimes they are sold as an extra accessory with the camera "Do you want the cable to connect the camera to your computer, it's just $10.00 extra?" . Sometimes, these items are simple sold elsewhere for profit (eBay?).

When you check prices, make sure everything is included in the price

It is not really cheaper if you end up having to pay extra for what should already be in the box. I do not think that is honest.

What should you expect to be included?

You should receive the cable to connect the digital camera to your computer. You should receive a CD with the driver for your camera and the CD usually has basic software for working with digital images on your computer. make sure you receive any strap that is supposed to come with the digital camera. Most important make sure the instruction book is included. If the camera comes with a rechargeable battery, the charger should be included.

The instruction book should have a list of things that are included

Make sure it is all there when it arrives. If not double check. Then call the store you bought it from and find out where it is.

It is not uncommon for a digital camera to come without a memory card included

Just expect this. It is probably a choice by the manufacturer, not from someone removing it. You should plan to purchase a new memory card either with your digital camera or from another source so you have it when your digital camera arrives.

I do not suggest kits or accessory packages that include lenses or flashes not made specifically by your camera's manufacturer

These third party flashes and lenses are not the same quality as those made by the manufacturer. Do not be tempted by a cheap offer. They are not worth what they are charging no matter how little.

Packages with lenses by the manufacturer are a different story

You may want to take a look at them. The lens Canon includes in a kit with the Digital Rebel 300D is difficult to find when not bought with the camera. Any lens made by your camera's manufacturer is much more likely to be of higher quality than one made by a third party.

Basically, make sure you get what you paid for

Make sure you know what you are paying for. You should be getting everything the camera manufacturer includes in the box. Otherwise, it is like buying a car and the salesman asking you if you would like a key to go with it.

Next, a little warning about warrantees.

Yet, they sometimes are the first thing someone buying a new camera will tell you about. Others, just do not have any value. I am going to give a few of these so-called features a bit of exposure here. I'll let you know why if the feature shouldn't make you run to another camera, at least should not be counted as a feature when comparing digital cameras.

While some of these features you cannot help avoid (many digital cameras have them) you should not let the following features be included in your decision

The dreaded digital zoom

This is not really a zoom at all. It is just a marketing ploy to make the camera sound better compared to a competitor. Unfortunately, this digital zoom thing has gotten pushed so far that all the camera manufacturers have a tendency to list it as a feature. A digital zoom just crops the image in camera and resamples the remaining information a larger file size. Digital photos taken with digital zoom are easy to spot next to digital photos taken with an optical zoom. So not count digital zoom as a feature. It is not. Only compare the optical range of the zoom. If you buy a digital camera with digital zoom, just forget your camera has it. You will get much better photos that way.

The built in movie capability

Let me tell you a true story. I had a client who bought a digital camera (from a salesman at a consumer electronic store). She did not own a computer. This is not the problem (it is possible to use a digital camera effectively now, even if you do not have a computer). The salesman pointed out the ability to record video movies with the camera as a feature. Thinking she would rather have a video, she used the video feature of the camera to record and important event ( I think it was a graduation).

This is where things went wrong.

The format digital cameras use to record video is not compatible with your TV or a video recorder. Digital cameras use either a Microsoft format (avi) or Apple format (Quicktime). These video formats need a computer to decode them (or you can connect your camera directly). You cannot directly save the video to a CD to play in a DVD player. It needs to be recoded for the DVD player.

The video produced by these digital cameras is not the same thing you would expect if you have a video camera either. It is small, usually size to a fraction of a computer screen and sometimes only uses 256 colors. In short, it looks terrible.

This poor woman listened to a salesman. She ended up with a tiny lousy video, that she could not even watch, when she could have had some nice photos to remember with.

Do not buy a camera because it is supposed to shoot video also. If your camera has this feature, use it only to play or at least try it before you rely on it for something that may one day be important. Do not record an important event this way. You will regret it. Use the still digital camera for photos.

As an aside, video cameras that claim to shoot still digital videos also do a terrible job at still photography. The method of recording still photography and motion is different. What looks good while in motion looks terrible in a still photo.

B&W / Sepia Mode

A cool idea that is not really needed. B&W and Sepia can be done in photo editing software later with much more control.

I mentioned built-in memory previously

This memory is usually not large enough to be of real use. I do not believe either Canon or Nikon make cameras that feature built-in memory. This is a feature that I would consider one of those "run away from this camera" features.

There is one feature that all digital cameras have that I suggest you forget

All digital cameras have a quality setting. I suggest you set it to the highest quality setting and forget you can change it. Why? Because to me, it make no sense to buy an expensive camera and then set it to take pictures like a cheap one. Buy a cheaper camera and get some extra memory cards instead. I'm sorry, it just does not make any sense to me. I just do not get it. Use the high quality setting you paid for.

Now that I given you some features to avoid or at least ignore, we'll go over what you should expect in the box when it arrives.

What should come with my digital camera?

Just a couple years ago, the four top types of digital camera memory types were: Compact Flash, Memory Stick, Smartmedia, and Secure Digital (SD). I but them in pretty close to the order of popularity in listing them.

Digital memory cards were also much more expensive just a bit ago

Many digital cameras came with only an 8 megabyte memory card. Popular card memory sizes were 64 megabyte and 128 Meg. If you wanted a really large capacity memory card, a 512 megabyte card cost hundreds of dollars.

With prices like that, the type of memory card your digital camera used could be very important

With the cost of digital memory cards that high, you would want to be able to use them in all your digital cameras. If you had a camera that used compact flash, you might have wanted to choose a new digital camera that used compact flash memory. It was important because the large memory sizes back then could cost nearly as much as the camera.

Because the cost of digital memory cards has dropped so much, matching memory types between an older and a new digital camera is not an important factor anymore

Nowadays, you can purchase a 512 Mb memory card for much less than $50. Gigabyte cards sell for under $100. It is now practical to purchase several cards or a larger card for a new camera.

The file size of today's digital cameras makes older cards not very useful

You simple cannot fit many digital photos from today's high resolution digital cameras on a 64Mb or 128Mb memory card. That 8Mb memory card that came with your first digital camera will only hold 1 digital photo (uncompressed) or maybe 2 compressed digital photos from your 8 megapixel camera. Just not very useful.

Also, the types of memory cards used by digital cameras have changed

While the Sony Memory Stick is still supported by Sony, others have shifted in popularity. More cameras use Secure Digital (SD). A new digital memory format called xD or Olympus xD has replaced Smartmedia (which has pretty much disappeared). Compact flash, while not as popular with point-and-shoot digital cameras, is still the leading memory type for digital single lens reflex cameras.

There are some things you may wish to consider about the different formats

Two of the types of digital memory cards are proprietary. Sony invented the Memory Stick. Pretty much only Sony makes cameras that use Memory Stick. The xD format was created by Fuji and Olympus. Fuji and Olympus are the only companies that make cameras that use Olympus xD that I know of.

What does this mean

Well, only one company has to drop Memory Stick for it to disappear into oblivion. That is kind of what happened to Smartmedia. It is not really a problem now, but because the xD format was newer, many places that offered on-site digital printing did not support xD (even those using Fuji printers). Because Compact Flash and Secure Digital are less manufacturer specific, they do not rely on the support of one company.

This also creates one more advantage for Compact Flash and Secure Digital

The main memory manufacturers spend more research on Compact Flash and Secure Digital. This means these memory card formats receive more improvements. It is easier to find high capacity memory cards in Compact Flash and Secure Digital formats. Compact Flash regularly sees speed and capacity increases before it gets passed on to the other formats. They also are less expensive than xD or Memory Stick.

What brand memory card should I use?

Sandisk and Lexar are the leaders in this technology. Both provide very good warrantees on their memory products. My personal favorite are the Sandisk Ultra Extreme Series. Sandisk claims they are made more durable than normal cards and since I am a klutz, this is a good thing. The Ultra Extreme cards also come with data recovery software (you can sometimes save a mistakenly erased file with it) and a neat little carry case (I attach it to the zipper of my camera bag where it is handy). I think the extra strength these cards offer is worth the small percentage more they cost.

Just a note, some cameras still come with a built-in memory

This is just not useful anymore. You need to connect to your own computer to get digital photos off this type of memory. You cannot take your camera to a lab, they will not have the software to connect directly to your camera. I have also seen that it can be somewhat confusing to try and copy photos in camera to a regular memory card. Stay away from cameras that feature this type of memory (different from cache memory used to buffer photos while the camera is processing – cache is good). Do not let a salesman confuse you.

Much of the decision about memory type will be made when you choose the brand of digital camera you buy

Both of my brand recommendations (Nikon and Canon) use both Compact Flash and Secure Digital formats. Both use Secure Digital for point-and-shoot digital cameras and Compact Flash for digital single lens reflex cameras. I know many of the Canon EOS1 digital cameras support both Compact Flash and Secure Digital.

Do not let the type of memory decide your camera

Like I have stated above. Older memory cards probably will not have enough capacity for the new camera anyways. Memory cards are also more affordable now.

Next I'll go through a few features that if you do not outright avoid digital cameras with them, you, at least, should not pay attention to these features in choosing a digital camera.

Features to avoid in digital cameras

Well, yes, it is true, to a point. It is a lot like the nothing-beats-cubic-inches argument for automobile engine size. You do not want to be underpowered when it comes to taking great photos. You need enough information saved when you press the shutter button to make a sharp detail rich photo.

But you can have too much of a good thing

Some of the top end digital cameras have image chips recording well over 10 megapixels (16.7 megapixels for the Canon EOS1Ds Mark II). This translates into a huge, large file on your computer (even in a compressed JPEG format). Getting a resolution too large for your needs may make you feel like trading in that huge engine for a nice efficient subcompact.

So how much resolution do you need in a digital camera?

It is different for different needs. I do think there is a minimum you should consider for any digital camera no matter what you use it for. While a professional will definately see advantages in very high resolutions, especially for some puposes, there also is a level that reaches too much and becomes an inconveinience when it comes to saving those digital photos an working with them.

To get a good digital photo lets compare digital to film

I am going to use film quality as a measure for the quality to expect in a digital photo. Why? First because 35mm has become the standard level of quality for most types of photography. We are all familiar with the quality from a 35mm film camera. Second, you are going to pay much more for a digital camera than you would a film camera with the same basic features. It would make sense to me that if your going to pay more, you should at least get the same quality. If you go to an expensive restuarant you would be upset if all they did was run across the street and bring you a hamburger from a fast food chain.

What resolution digital camera will equal a film camera?

The level of resolution in a digital camera need to match the quality of a 35mm film camera is about 6 megapixels. Even on a very big enlargement, a good 6 megapixel digital camera will produce photos that will equal or better a 35mm film camera. This is the resolution I would recommend you use as a minimum when you choose a digital camera.

Why not a lower resolution – I do not make many big photos?

Again, you are still going to pay a lot for a digital camera. Paying just a bit more for a 6 megapixel vs. a 4 megapixel camera to get a quality level equal to what you would get with film just makes sense. It will help insure you are not looking for a new camera next year. The extra resolution will also help if you decide you need to crop in around a subject.

If you really do not care about quality you could get away with a 5 megapixel digital camera

I do not recommend it. I think in the long run, you will be much more satisfied with a 6 megapixel camera. Eventually, everyone takes that once-in-a-liftime picture. It would be a shame to find out that you cannot enlarge or crop as much because of a lower resolution digital camera.

What about higher resolutions?

If you are not concerned about the cost, I recommend them. You will enjoy greater flexibility in enlargement and cropping. It will not make too much difference in the typical 4×6 print but you will see a difference around 8×10 size and larger.

I have a few warnings about higher resolution digital cameras

As of Spring 2006, I do not recommend you buy a anything more than an 8 megapixel camera and you may even want to stick with digital point-and-shoot cameras in the 7 megapixel range. Because the image chips in point-and-shoot digital cameras are so small, as they add resolution to these chips, there is a tendency for noise to increase. It was noted in photo trade magazines that soon after manufacturers introduced their top of the line 8 megapixel point-and-shoot digital cameras, the next generation of top line digital point-and-shoot cameras were actually lower in resolution in the 7 megapixel range. This tends to be more of a problem at higher ISOs (light sensitivity settings) like 800 ISO.

This is not a problem with the Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras

They have larger size chips. This reduces the amount of noise they have. You will find that an 8 megapixel digital single lens reflex will produce a better photo then an 8 megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera. This will be even more true at higher ISO settings like 800 ISO. The 16.7 megapixel Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II has become known for fantastic results at high ISO settings.

The other problem with higher resolution digital cameras is the file size

The higher resolution your digital camera has, the more memory you will need. A 6 megapixel camera will fit about 75 uncompressed digital photos or about 150 compressed JPEG digital pictures on a 512 megabyte memory card. This is the largest size memory card that will fit comfortably on a CD for storage. Also, you will find larger file sizes will slow down your computer when you work on them at home. If you purchase a camera with more that 8 megapixel resolution, make sure your computer at home has a DVD burner not just a CD burner for saving your photos. You will also want to invest in larger memory cards and lots of them.

Just to summarize choosing the resolution of your digital camera

Look for a digital camera in the 6 megapixel to 8 megapixel range. If you are looking for a point-and-shoot camera maybe stay in the 6 megapixel to 7 megapixel range. This resolution will give you results equal or better than 35mm film cameras. Going higher than 8 megapixels in point-and-shoot digital cameras will increase noise problems.

Now you know quite a bit more about the digital camera you will be looking for. Next we are going to look at the different types of memory digital cameras use

What Type of Memory Should My Digital Camera Use?

There is a tendency for any person to feel that their choice on any matter is the best. There also seems to be a need in most people to convince others of the correctness of that choice. This is true on almost any subject and choosing a digital camera is no exception. So, read the following knowing that some is my personal opinion and some is based on my experience and some from watching the experiences of others. Also, you may or may not get the same advice if you ask another photographer. Whatever advice you take, make sure it is backed up with some fact and relevant experience.

To make it short, I would suggest you buy a digital camera made by Nikon or Canon

 These two companies have dominated the photography industry for decades. Both Nikon and Canon are known for their quality. Both Nikon and Canon have a long history and knowledge of photography. Both Nikon and Canon are known for making excellent lenses. I am most familiar with Canon cameras, so most examples I give here are Canon digital cameras, but I would readily recommend a Nikon digital camera if you are already familiar with Nikon. No one would ever find fault or say purchasing either a Nikon or Canon digital camera was a mistake. This is not true of some other brands.

There are a few other digital camera manufacturers that you could look at

Olympus, Pentax, Konica Minolta, and Fuji are some digital camera manufacturers that have a photographic background. Fuji and Olympus would probably be at the top of this list. Both made good film cameras and have had some interesting digital advances. I have not listed Kodak. This is because I have not seen very many quality Kodak film cameras with quality lenses for the past 20 years. While, perhaps Kodak suddenly started making great cameras and lenses overnight when they started making digital cameras, I find it hard to get past the history of ultra cheap point-and-shoot and disposable cameras.

I do not recommend digital camera made by consumer electronics companies

I have two reasons I do not recommend digital cameras made my consumer electronics companies. One, they usually do not have a history of making great lenses or a history in photography. Many try to get around this by using Zeiss lenses (a very good lens and optics company). Still, I think it is better to stick with a company that has decades of experience and lots of research and history in photography.

My second reason for not choosing a camera by an electronics company is the more important one

It is also a bit closer to personal opinion. It is also based on personal experience, which I think you will be able to relate to. I have bought lots of consumer electronic products. I have bought TV's, stereo equipment, clocks, watches, radios, phones, cell phones, microwaves, and countless other devices made by consumer electronics companies. I even have consumer electronics companies that I would consider favorites in these areas (I would choose them over a Canon or Nikon TV, stereo….). However, these products tend to be disposable. By that, I mean, when they do break down, it does not pay to repair them. You buy a CD player, it breaks down (maybe even 2 years after the warrantee) and you find that the cost of repair is so close to a new one it really does not pay to repair it.

Products from consumer electronics companies seem to have a planned life span before obsolescence

On the other hand, I have film cameras that are 20 years old and still worth fixing if the break down. In some cases, it may take finding a repair service that can fix older cameras, but it not only can be done but is worth doing. I realize we are talking about digital cameras. I realize that next year (more likely next month) a new model of my Canon DSLR will be introduced with features mine does not have. Would you feel better with company with a history of cameras lasting 20 years or would you feel better with a company that you have replaced your CD player with 6 times in the same time period? Which do you think is going to make a better camera?

Do not forget, one point of this guide is choosing a digital camera that you will be able to use for years not just two or three

There are people out there using digital cameras they have had for 4-5 years. Those cameras do not take as good photos as their film cameras did. If you follow this guide, you will choose a digital camera every bit as good as a film camera. Because we are trying to keep that film level of quality, there should not be a need to replace that camera in 1 or 2 years because it is outdated.

So, I suggest you stick with a digital camera manufacturer with a history in photography

I would really recommend Nikon or Canon for their history of great cameras. They have both made the transition to making great digital cameras also. My personal preference is Canon. I have been using Canon cameras for all my professional career. As I write this, Canon also has a 75% market share of DSLR's. This gives them a lot of room for research in making even better digital cameras and that is where they have put a lot of effort. While I am certainly an advocate of Canon digital cameras I would feel comfortable investing in a Nikon digital camera. I cannot say that about any other brands, only Nikon and Canon

Make sure you do not fall for some typical sales stories

You will be told that one company makes the camera body for another. You will be told that another company makes the image sensor for another. You will also be told another company makes the lens for whatever off brand or even well known brand digital camera the salesman wants to sell. It is all true. It is all false. Kodak makes image chips for many different manufacturers. Nikon makes the body for some Fuji DSLR's and other manufacturers. There are more examples.

While true, these can be taken out of context and should not be used to justify buying any brand instead of another

Judge each brand on its own reputation and standard of quality. Being compatible with another brand does not mean the quality is as good. There are many companies making digital cameras, some use names that have been around for a long time. Some companies, with names that sound familiar, make some of the worst cameras. I really would avoid any company I have not listed above (even though I admit there are some good digital camera companies I have missed). A Zeiss lens on a disposable camera equals a disposable Zeiss lens.

Ok, now you know what brands to look for and what style of photography you want to use it for, lets start narrowing down the choices. Let's look at one of the most important factors to decide on with a digital camera.

What resolution should I choose for my digital camera?

This is an important question to answer because it defines the type of digital camera you need to buy. You may also want to consider the near future. Do you see yourself changing what you photograph or how you use photography.

I've kind of divided this page into several categories of picture takers:

• The Casual-convenient Photo Taker
• The Family Historian
• The Soccer Mom (you do not have to be a mom to fit in this category)
• The Dedicated Hobbyist
• The Pro

Now, you may find that you sort of fit into more than one category. That's alright. I hope I give you enough information to decide what digital camera will serve you best. If you are split too evenly, you may want to seriously consider more than one camera.

Lets look at the different categories

The Casual-convenient Photo Taker

What I am calling the Casual-convenient Photo Taker is just the average person. You just want to take pictures at a few special events each year and have one to use on vacation. Convenience is the major important factor.

The casual photographer does not want something big

The smaller the better. You are looking for the smaller point-and-shoot digital cameras. The trade off for size is fewer features. The main feature that suffers because of size the the range of the zoom. Other than that you'll find manufacturers have managed to put plenty of features even in small packages.

Despite the limited range zoom on small digital cameras, you will probably enjoy the advantage of a small camera

You may even be able to fit it in a pocket. With a large memory card, you can enjoy being able to take photos all day on a vacation or all you can take at a party and still be able to hid it away when you just want to have a good time.

The Family Historian

The family historian is an important part of every family. This job may start at the birth of a new child or may be assigned to you by a parent later in life. Your job is to be the one that gets the photos at every family gathering or important event.

You may be a scrap booker

Not only taking the photos but in charge of archiving the family memories and labeling for all to find. Whenever something is going on, you have the camera. In fact, whenever something is going on, you are expected to have the camera.

The family historian may need a camera with a few more features than a casual picture taker

Look for a camera with a fairly good zoom range. If you can find one with the flash a bit farther from the lens, it will help reduce red-eye a bit. The ability to add an accessory flash to the camera is something to consider. The extra power an external flash can add can come in handy. The extra distance from the lens an external flash can add will really help reduce red eye even more.

Cameras in this category are a bit larger

They are typical point-and-shoot digital cameras. The larger zoom range will give you a bit more flexibility. Manufacturers have several special features you may want to look at. Some digital camera manufacturers have included image stability technology that will help you get sharper photos. Canon even has a model with an L lens, meaning it is extra sharp and has special coatings or lens elements they reserve for special, more expensive lenses.

There are some features you should look for in this category

Many cameras in this category may have a slightly larger rear screen than the the compact version could have. This is only an advantage if it does not have an optical viewfinder, but it is something to consider. I already mentioned external flash and zoom range. You may want to check for a remote release so you can get in the photo occasionally with the rest of the family. Some models come with an infrared remote.

Also check on the camera's processor speed

While not a major importance of this category, you do not want to spend all your family event waiting to take another photo. Digital Cameras that process photos faster (or have a larger cache) will allow you to shoot another photo right after another without waiting long. Canon has starts including their newer processors that were developed for their digital single lens reflexes. They increase the speed at which you can take photos and also save battery power.

The Soccer Mom

You do not have to be a mom to fit this category

This category is separated from the family historian only by the need to photography sports or fast action fairly often. We talked about the convenience of a digital camera with a fast processor or cache for the family historian. For the soccer mom is is nearly a necessity. You will need a digital camera that will allow you to shoot several photos right after each other to cover action photos.

This category marks the extreme limit for any point-and-shoot digital camera

It is very hard to follow action with an electronic viewfinder. They tend to lag and just make it seem difficult to use with sports. Also, the limits of an attached lens come into play. While manufacturers now have point-and-shoot cameras with 12x zooms, at their highest zoom, most do not let enough light in to get the fast shutter speed needed to catch action. In addition, many digital point-and-shoot cameras that have optical viewfinders do not have the high range zooms.

The final problem with digital point-and-shoot cameras is lag

Lag is the amount of time between when you press the shutter button and the photo is actually exposed by the camera. While manufacturers have worked to reduce it, many digital cameras suffer from very noticeable lag. You may find it hard to catch action shots if your digital camera has much lag. Newer digital cameras are a bit better than older digital cameras. Those who bought digital cameras a few years ago often found lag was a real inconvenience. You may find that it is not too bad nowadays.

This category is where I suggest you start to look at a Digital Single Lens Reflex

In fact, the Digital Single Lens Reflexes (DLSR) now available act the most like the film cameras we are used to using. DSLR's (of any price range) have many advantages over the digital point-and-shoot cameras.

DSLR's correct many of the digital disadvantages found in digital point-and-shoot cameras

They have little or no lag. They have a larger cache, allowing you to shoot many photos right after each other without waiting for the camera to process. Their optical viewfinders are bright, clear, and are easy to see in daylight. In short, they act like film SLR's.

Digital Single Lens Reflexes also have better image quality

DSLR's usually have a bigger size (physical size, not resolution) image sensor that digital point-and-shoot cameras. This larger sensor means the pixels are not as close to each other as they are in smaller sensors. This helps reduce noise and digital artifacts compared to digital point-and-shoot cameras. Even at the same resolutions, a digital single lens reflex will produce a better photo than a point-and-shoot digital camera.

The Digital Single Lens Reflex does have two disadvantages

Size. DSLR's tend to be a bit larger. Adding the lens will make it even bigger and heavier. The second disadvantage is cost. Digital Single Lens Reflexes tend to start in the price range at which most point-and-shoot cameras end. At the lower cost end of the spectrum is the Canon Digital Rebel XT. The original Digital Rebel was the first Digital Single Lens Reflex under $1000, a true landmark in digital photography. Nikon also has a competitor to the Digital Rebel Series.

The advantages of a Digital Single Lens Reflex for shooting any type of action will make it worth the extra weight and cost

By using a camera that is far more capable, you will enjoy your photos more. You will find yourself less frustrated.

The Dedicated Hobbyist

The dedicated hobbyist is the backbone of photography

The dedicated hobbyist may have dreams of becoming a professional photographer some day. Or maybe he or she may have some other interest that he or she wants to photograph often and finds that increasing photographic skills allows this other interest to be shared better. If photography is not a first love, it is at least a close second. My grandfather's love for photography grew out of his love of trains and trying to photograph them.

Many professional photographers were once amateur photographers that just decided they wanted to try and make it professionally

In fact, I have met amateur photographers that new a lot more than some who claim to be professionals. Being an amateur is not something to be ashamed of. In fact, some amateur photographers produce photos that rival the best professionals. The only difference is that an amateur does not need to please anyone else but himself or herself. The professional does not have this option. He must constantly work to please the client.

If you are serious about photography you should look into a Digital Single Lens Reflex

The creativity a DSLR affords cannot be matched. You will find that whatever your photographic vision is, the DSLR is capable of doing it. The range of accessories will provide an endless way for you to test your limits as well as your credit card limits.

There is a bit of a price difference between the DSLR a dedicated hobbyist would most likely afford and what a professional would need

Since professional DSLR's can cost over $8000 (and that's without a lens) the amateur will be looking at the lower priced DSLR's. There are many to choose from. You will find the Canon Digital Rebel and its competitors very capable of producing professional level, quality photos. A bit higher  in cost are the next range of DSLR's like the Canon EOS 30D and it's Nikon competitors. This level of DSLR is about equal in cost to a professional level film camera. While missing some of the highest performance features of the top level DSLR's. they are still very popular with professionals.

If you are on a budget look at the high end point-and-shoot digital cameras or low end Digital Single Lens Reflexes

If you do not plan to photograph and sports or action photography (or at least not often) you may be happy with a high end point-and-shoot digital camera. If you plan on doing anything with a moving subject (bird watching) and you are on a budget look at a low end DSLR. An even more economical option would be finding a used Digital Rebel 300D maybe on eBay.

The Professional

If your already a professional you should not need to be reading this

The professional need to find the equipment that will provide the highest quality photos. You may want to consider a system compatible with one you already own. High end Digital Single Lens Reflexes (based on 35mm body size) provide photo quality equal to medium format film. Digital Cameras based on Medium Format cameras (often using a digital back on a film camera) provide quality of large format view cameras.

Expect to pay for it

Top of the line Digital Single Lens Reflexes like the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II (now it is the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III) can cost $8000. Medium format backs are even more with many systems running over $20,000. Not only  that, the professional needs to have a back-up in place the primary equipment fails. Now we are talking real money.

Many professionals use the mid-quality Digital Single Lens Reflexes

Especially for a back-up. The quality photo produced by a Canon EOS 30D is the same as an EOS 1D Mark II. It just will not be as durable or have all the same features. You may want a pro-level camera as your primary and a mid-level camera (like the newer Canon EOS 40D)as a backup.

Of course, there are times when I pays not to look like a professional

Keeping a point-and-shoot digital camera on hand can be handy. Sometimes a professional will draw unwanted attention just by having a pro camera. To avoid this attention, some photographers will resort to using a high end point-and-shoot digital camera. It is also nice to take on vacation.

I hope I've covered the different types of photographers well

Next we will look at what brand of camera. A subject that often will bring a heated discussion to a group of professional photographers or a group of dedicated hobbyists (or at least it used to).

What Brand of Digital Camera Should I Buy?

It is a lot of money. You do not actually see the person you are giving your hard earned money to.

How do you know you are dealing with a reputable company?

You can try looking in a photography magazine. I have had what I would call a bad experience with a business that has had several huge muti-page adds in photography magazines for years. You would think that it would be easier to work with a business that has been around that long and has such a large impression in the industry. I have had good experience with others that have been around just as long and have just as large size adds in the photography magazines. I have also had to order from a second choice when my first choice seemed to close for a month to do inventory (I hope to be able to take a month off myself someday soon and do inventory. Lets see, ten fingers and eleven toes, that's not right. Better count that again).

Many people are nervous about using their credit card online

I think that is unnecessary. The real worry about online credit card fraud is with the retailers. Since they do not have a signature, they cannot prove you made the order. The retailers are the ones that lose out in online credit card fraud.

Your bank is already connected to the internet

It is more likely that they will get broken into and you records stolen directly from them than for you to get hacked will using a credit card online. You are actually relatively safe using your credit card on the internet. Do not use a debit card on the internet. While, if your card is used fraudulently, you will probably eventually get your money back, it is money missing from your account till you can get it back. Bad if you need that money to pay bills in the mean time.

You do need to be careful who you give your card number or any information to though

Never sign in to any financial service online from an email link. Never use a link from an email to sign in anywhere you electronically transfer money, such as banks, credit card sites, Paypal, and Ebay. It is easy to forge an email and send you someplace that looks like the real site.

My little public service message about using credit cards online is over now, back to digital cameras

How do you find a good online business to buy a digital camera from?

There are some good solid nationally known camera stores that are also online. Many of the consumer electronic stores have online stores also. This is great because you can order what you want without having a salesman insist you buy something else. Some stores are even cheaper when you buy online.

Be careful of consumer directories that try to tell you the best price from among several stores

I have had a hard time finding the actual price quoted at the directory anywhere at an online store. Sometimes the price quoted is minus a few parts that should be included. I once ordered a $4000 scanner that came minus the cables. You are better off finding one good online business and purchase from them rather than trying to save a few dollars looking for the cheapest deal. You do not always know who is in charge of the rating system. It many be the top rated business owner's cousin Lenny. I ordered a digital (new) camera once using a directory like this. Good thing I decided to play with it before I gave it as a gift – it had photos of marijuana plants in it's memory.

Things are improving and sometimes you can save a lot of time. Online pricing directories can be a quick way to check prices from several well known online stores.

Some places I have had good experience:

• Known as a trusted online retailer for computer related needs. They have great prices on quality digital cameras.
• eBay can be a great place. Many photo retailers also have an Ebay store. You can use the Ebay feedback to help choose a reliable retailer.
• Amazon Known for selling books, they sell almost everything now. It has one of the best online reputations in the world.
• A professional level photographic store. They also handle comsumer digital cameras.

Purchasing from reliable online store can be quick, convenient, and a great way to save money. Often, you can have your digital camera almost as fast as if you bought it locally. The trick is finding one that is trustworthy.

Now we know how not to buy a digital camera. We looked at two types of businesses to buy a digital camera from: Buying a digital camera from a local camera shop and buying a digital camera from an online retailer. What do you need to know next? What kind of photographer are you? You will need to answer this question before you know what type of digital camera to shop for.

What kind of photographer are you?