If you are buying a digital camera for yourself or choosing one as present for someone then you may be confused by the vast variety of cameras and features that are presently available. It is possible to narrow down your choices and get the camera that will best suit you if you take a look at the “check list” contained in this article. Let's look at the basic questions you have to ask before buying a new digital camera.



1. What size camera would you like to carry around?

Digital cameras have become smaller, compared to the big models that were available six years ago. However, the size of your camera will also affect your ability to get great pictures. If you want photos that can be printed in a high quality magazine, then you need a full-size SLR (single lens reflex camera) and you will have to carry around interchangeable lenses.

However, if you want portability and want to be able to carry your camera around in your coat or pants pocket then you can get the popular small models that many people are currently buying. The size of the sensors and lenses and the range of the zoom will be less than in the large cameras, but you will always have your camera with you and you will be able to get many shots that would have been missed if you had to lug around a lot of equipment.

2. What Size sensor do you want in your camera?

Most people believe that the quality of the picture is determined by the number of “megapixels” in the image resolution of the camera. While a camera that resolves pictures to eight megapixels will give better images than the early digital cameras, picture quality is determined by other factors as well. These include the quality of the lenses and most importantly the size of the image sensor. Bigger cameras have bigger sensors and they will give better pictures, but the price of these cameras will be higher as well. So, once again you have to choose, considering the size of camera that you want, the price of the camera and what degree of picture excellence you need.

3. Do You Want an Optical Viewfinder?

An optical viewfinder lets you see what the picture will look like by looking into a little hole at the top of the camera, just like in the conventional cameras of the past. On the smaller digital cameras there is often only an LCD screen on the back in which you can view the images. If you are taking photos in bright sunlight it is often impossible to view what you are shooting if you only have a screen to look at. So, if you are going to take a lot of photos outdoors, and you have opted for a small camera, then you should choose one that has both an optical viewfinder and an LCD screen. If you do choose one with an optical viewfinder, then the screen will be a bit smaller because the manufacturer has to make room for the viewfinder by reducing the size of the screen. If you have already decided that you are going to get a bigger camera, then you don't have to worry about this issue because the larger cameras all have optical viewfinders in addition to a screen.

4. What size Zoom do you need?

This depends on what kind of photos you are going to be taking. If you are taking photos of your child's school play or soccer game then you will need more than the 3x or 4x zooms that are included in the small pocket size cameras. If you have opted for a complete SLR camera then this is not an issue because you can use giant lenses. So, if you do need a zoom that is great than 5x then you will probably have to move up to a mid size camera.

Of course the issue of price is always a factor as well. You have to weigh everything according to your photo needs and your financial capacity, but fortunately the amazing advances of digital technology allows everyone to get high quality photos in relatively small cameras at affordable prices. So look around and choose the digital camera that best suits you.