Whether you want to capture the sights of your backpacking trip across Europe or simply want to capture the memories made around the home, a good digital camera is an essential accessory. There are a number of digital cameras available for the average consumer, and this guide will help narrow down the specific types and features to help you find the perfect camera for your needs.

Types

There are several types of digital cameras available for every type of consumer, and the type of shooting you intend to do will help you narrow down your choices.

Point and Shoot: A point and shoot cameras is a compact camera typically small enough to fit in your pocket. It’s one of the most popular types of digital cameras due to its versatility, convenience, and price. They can come in a variety of colors and contain enough features to satisfy the average consumer.

Advanced Point and Shoot: Some types of point and shoot cameras are a bit more advanced, offering better picture quality and detachable lenses. These are typically more advanced than standard compact cameras and are ideal for people looking for something similar to a high end camera without the cost or size.

Digital SLR: A digital SLR camera is larger camera most often used by professional photographers. It has the most options and features, offers removable lens capabilities, and in some cases can also record high definition video. They’re also the most expensive type of digital camera, and can be quite heavy.

Size

Digital cameras come in all shapes and sizes. A point-and-shoot camera is typically small enough to fit into a pocket or purse, though some variations exist that require a camera case. Larger cameras, such as compact system cameras and digital SLRs are large enough to require a separate case. In most cases the size of your future digital camera will be determined by what you intend to use it for.

Resolution

Most digital cameras on the market today offer a high enough resolution to satisfy almost every need. This is typically in the range of 10-14 megapixels. In fact, many smartphones contain digital cameras of up to 8 megapixels. It should be noted that more megapixels does not necessarily mean a better image. While there may be a difference in overall quality between an 8 megapixel camera and a 10 megapixel camera, the difference between a 10 and a 15 isn’t as great.

Batteries

Digital cameras can operate on model-specific lithium-ion or nickel-metal hybride batteries. These require a grounded source of power to charge, while digital cameras that use individual batteries can just have the dead batteries swapped out when they run out of power. Model-specific batteries last longer, though like most electronics, battery power is often dependent on how often the camera is used.

Features

Digital cameras are loaded with a variety of features to help you take the best possible pictures, though they vary from camera to camera.

Lenses: Larger and more high-end digital cameras offer interchangeable lenses, which allow you to increase the zoom manually. As a rule of thumb, a higher optical zoom is better than a higher digital zoom, as an optical zoom will retain picture detail. The greater the options for lens, the more you’re likely to spend.

Viewfinder: Most point and shoot cameras don’t contain a viewfinder, and instead swap them out for a large LCD screen. Larger digital SLR cameras often forgo the LCD screen for a viewfinder, though they retain an LCD screen for viewing the photographs after you take them.

Storage: Depending on the type of camera you purchase, storage is typically found in the form of a flash card or other type of memory stick. Some cameras offer onboard memory, though they also possess the option for memory expansion in the form of a flash card. Current flash card sizes range from approximately 1 GB of space to up to 2 TB.

File Format: Low-end digital cameras typically save the photo in JPEG format, while some higher end models also save in RAW. A RAW file is an unprocessed image, allowing advanced photo editors to manipulate it in a variety of ways. A RAW file is much larger than a JPEG and retains the metadata of the camera and the picture. If you just intend to take pictures and quickly share them with friends, then a digital camera that saves solely in JPEG format is all that is necessary.

Flash: Digital cameras all contain flash capabilities as well as options such as fill, automatic, and red-eye reduction. Digital SLRs and other high-end cameras include the ability to attach an external flash source.

Video: Most digital cameras on the market today offer the ability to record video, though some digital SLRs still lack this feature. While some cameras offer the option to record video in high definition, others still only shoot in standard definition. Cameras that offer high definition recording capabilities are typically more expensive than standard definition cameras.

Additional Features: Most cameras offer a number of additional features, such as image stabilization, which reduces the effects of handheld camera shaking; face detection, which automatically detects a face and adjusts certain settings to ensure a better image; geotagging, which allows you to set a location to your photos; in-camera editing software; and Wi-Fi support.

Bottom Line

When it comes to choosing a digital camera, it all comes down to what you intend to use it for. Purchasing a $1,000 digital SLR camera isn’t a great investment if all you intend to do is shoot birthday parties and sporting events, while a simple point-and-shoot won’t do you any favors when you’re trying to get onto the cover of National Geographic. Do your research before buying and you’ll walk away happy.