By Tina Coleman
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Whether documenting your latest trip to Europe or trying to capture priceless memories with your grandchildren, a digital camera makes photography easy.
One of the best features of this new technology is the ability to instantly view each picture you’ve taken. But the benefits go far beyond that. With simple printing procedures, digital cameras often cut consumers’ costs by allowing them to be choosy with the pictures they actually print.
But what information do you need before heading out to purchase a new digital camera?
Price
First, decide how much you are willing to spend. The price range for digital cameras starts around $200. The average person looks for a compact-size camera under $400. Currently, the top-selling brands include Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic.
Quality
But how do you get the best picture quality for your money? Start with the megapixels. Experts recommend four megapixels or higher for general printing and e-mail usage. If you are planning to blow your pictures up to 8” x 10” or larger, six megapixels or higher will reduce fuzziness.
Keep in mind that the higher the megapixels, the more memory the camera requires. Make sure you calculate the cost of the memory cards when comparing prices. You may need to purchase additional memory cards to hold your pictures between downloads.
Some retailers suggest purchasing a memory card for each person who will use the camera. This may prove to be overkill unless you are taking hundreds of pictures each between downloads.
More features
Other features to consider: Take a look at the zoom lens. An optical zoom acts like a telescope and provides better image quality than a digital zoom.
A larger, brighter LCD makes it easier to see your shots when you are outdoors. Some cameras in the under $400 price range come with up to a 3” LCD.