| Reviewers may discourse extensively about the top model digital cameras, but the truth is that the best camera for you may not be the camera that wins the top reviewer raves. Deciding to go digital in and of itself is a big decision. Digital cameras offer extensive carrying capacity, easy uploading capacity, and plenty of other bells and whistles, but some traditionalists still prefer film. If you have decided to go digital, consider these factors. How much storage space do you need? Do you want to download images to your desktop or laptop on the go? Are you primarily using your digital camera to keep a photo library of your life, or are you interested in more artistic photographic endeavors? Do you plan to rework your photographs with some kind of digital program, like Adobe Photoshop, after the fact? The answers to these questions and more will determine what kind of resolution, plug-ins, and accessories you should get for your digital camera. Typically, you want to get a lot of memory--just in case. Even the top models don't often come with great memory cards as standard. Additionally, you may have to upgrade your batteries. Rechargeable ones are best, since camera battery replacement can get quite expensive, particularly if you are a major shutterbug. Finally, it's just as important to figure what you don't want in your camera as it is to identify what you do want. Is a high resolution zoom necessary for your purposes? If not, you can choose a lower grade model and potentially save hundreds. Read redundant reviews of products to get a triangulated sense of what the market has to offer in terms of digital cameras. In general, Sony, Canon, and Nikon make some excellently priced and well-calibrated cameras. |