Finding the Right Camera for You
Don't buy more camera than you need, but at the same time, be careful to buy a camera that will let you grow as a photographer and that will allow you to learn. Buying an expensive camera now with features that you will never use is not a good use of your money. Electronic technology tends to cost less over time, so if you decide in the future that you want a more sophisticated camera, you should be able to purchase one for even less than it costs today.
Avoid feature overload. Most people will not use all the features on a camera, yet they will pay for all those fancy bells and whistles. Choose the camera with just the right combination of capabilities and features to get the most for your money. With so many cameras available, you should be able to find exactly what you need.
Examine features to make sure you get what you need:
How much does the camera cost?
How much can I afford to spend?
How much storage does it provide without an additional memory card?
What extras will I need to buy after the initial purchase?
What type of memory card does it use for storage?
What resolution does it have?
How does it get photos to my computer?
How much of a zoom range does it have?
Does it have optical or digital zoom?
Does it offer voice or video recording?
Can I use an external flash with it?
Can I override automatic controls for manual control?
How quickly can I shoot pictures in succession (the frame rate)?
You will definitely have to buy extras; be realistic. Prioritize the accessories you would most like to have, and keep the following points in mind:
Most cameras do not come with a memory card or much memory, so you may need to buy a card.
Some kind of case for carrying the camera, card, batteries, and cables will be necessary.
Camera batteries vary by type and cost. Can you buy extras, and how much do they cost?
While your camera will come with software, most people will want to buy more-sophisticated software such as picture file management software and picture modification and printing software.
Spec sheet or specifications sheet: All cameras have a specifications sheet that gives a list of its capabilities such as shutter speed range, zoom range, maximum aperture, minimum aperture, ISO range, and much more. You can often find a copy of the spec sheet by searching on the Web for “spec sheet specifications [camera make and model].”
