Until just about 5 years ago, folks still fell in line to buy film. Choices were
simple. You either got the 36 shot roll of film, or the 21 shot. A few blest individuals got to use Advantix which allowed printing of thumbnails. That saved on printing costs since you can easily identify which shots deserved to jump into the bin.
Today’s different. People no longer buy film. They buy glossy photo paper- lots of it. With the advent of amazing digital camera technology and high quality inkjets, every home can be a photolab. The passion for pictures has exploded to the point that many folks have at least two cameras in a household.
Are you planning on getting your second or third digicam? I know I am. Upgrading digital cameras has reached the same fervor as changing cellphones. Here are a few tips before you swipe the Visa:
- Know how much you’re willing to spend. Some Kodak cameras cost under $30. Others cost over $3000. While the pricier ones offer more features, ask yourself if you’ll ever need them. For instance, do you really need the cam that has 58 preset modes or can go 300 ft under water? Keep to the budget!
- Check what storage facilities it may have. A year ago, digital cameras accomodated up to 1GB of SD or Compact Flash. Today, we have cameras that can read 16GB or 32GB cards. Be wary of what your chosen camera can take. I once bought a 8GB SD car that couldn’t work in my Pentax. What a waste!
- Consider the form factor. Are you the fellow who likes snapping his cute dates on the fly? Then you want a point and shoot that fits in the pocket. Or maybe you enjoy taking huge zooms of wildlife? In that case you need an SLR. Cameras come in all sizes and shapes and configurations. Take an inventory of your lifestyle and decide how you plan to use your camera. Otherwise, it’d end up dead weight.
- Forget Megapixel Unless You’re an Ad Man. Manufacturers compete in the megapixel arena. Simply put, more megapixels mean larger printouts. If you’re the average Joe, you’d probably never need more than 5MP, which makes decent 8″x11″ prints. Resist the temptation to burn cash for a 24MP camera which is necessary only for billboards.
Choosing a camera is a fun and exhilarating endeavor. Before you hit the store, know what you want first, then scan the web for potential brands you may desire. Reviews from sites like dpreview.com can save you from buying lemons. Once you have made an informed decision, march to the store and reward yourself.
Happy shooting!
