Investigating the Choices
Before narrowing down your choices, decide on the features and general category of camera you want. Next, look for the most popular cameras that meet your needs.
To make the best choice, take some time to read reviews, look at camera descriptions at the manufacturers' Web sites, read comments on newsgroups, and print out copies of spec sheets for each camera you are considering.
You can often go directly to a manufacturer's Web site by typing in the company name and adding “.com”. For example:
Kodak:
Sony:
Nikon:
Canon:
Fuji film:
Casio:
Like automobiles, cameras have a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and this price is almost always discounted. An Internet search for “price [camera make model]” should bring up a list of places that offer a particular camera make and model for sale.
Explore impartial digital photography sites, many of which will compare features of various models. Look for reviews and user comments. There are also many newsgroups that discuss digital photography. Search these groups for particular makes and models. To find user comments, search Google Groups for [camera make model]; for reviews, search Google for “review [camera make model].”
At this point, you should not consider plunking down your money. Rather, take note of the range of prices that the camera is being offered at. It is very important to check out the reputation of each online seller, to carefully read their return policy, and to make sure that everything that is supposed to be included in the camera package is included. Chapter 3 delves into deciding on a retailer.
There is nothing like holding a camera in your hands after you know what to look for. Go to your local Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or office supply store such as Staples. There you can find a number of cameras to look at and ask questions of the knowledgeable salespeople.
Try out all the features, ask questions, and above all get a sense of the feel of the camera. Even a reliable model may not be the best choice if it does not feel comfortable in your hands or has features that are hard to use, such as changing the exposure modes as you are shooting. Try out several cameras and don't assume that a higher-priced model is a better choice.
