Choosing the right digital camera for you isn't as easy as it sounds as these days they come in a range of sizes, colors, brands, zooms, resolutions, playbacks, etc. In fact digital cameras have become so complicated in the features and functions that manufacturers are adding to them, that buyers, especially first timers, can easily become overwhelmed. This is bewildering enough, but added to this the buyer also has to wade through the various advertisements and different ratings that are used to promote these products.

So what are the sort of things that you should look for when buying a digital camera? There are some questions that you need to ask yourself before you can decide. You need to decide what YOU need and want from your camera. To do this, you can ask yourself the following questions:

- What do you want to use your new camera for? Before you buy your new digital camera, it is important to determine what kind of pictures you want to take with it. If you only want it for family snaps, a cheaper model with few features and a low resolution will do. But if you are a digital photography enthusiast, any camera will just not do. You will have to look for features that can support the zooming you need, the resolution, etc.

- How much can you afford to spend on your new digital camera? This is a very important question any person who intends to buy a camera should ask. Because no matter what your needs and wants are, your financial resource will play a huge part in dictating the type of digital camera you will buy. You may be able to stretch your budget further buy shopping around. The Internet can be a good source of information, and should help you to track down the best one that you can afford.

- What are you resources? When you buy digital camera, sometimes the spending does not end there. You also have to consider the capacity and the power of the computer and the printer you will be using for your editing and printing needs. Editing software is usually included but remember other devices aren't. Aside from a printer, ink and paper for printing, you might also need additional memory cards for your camera and a more powerful computer to support image editing and image storage and retrieval.

After answering these 3 questions, the second set of information you need to know before you buy digital camera are the features that you need in the device. These are:

- Resolution. Before you buy, check first its capacity to produce high quality pictures. The number of pixels indicated determines resolution. The higher the number of pixels, the higher the resolution. High-resolution photos can be enlarged without losing image quality. So if you want to produce larger than normal photos you will need to invest in a high-resolution camera.

- Built-in memory. Digital cameras need memory cards for picture storage. When you buy, make sure that the gadget that you buy does not only have a "built-in" memory but should also have a card slot for external and additional memory. This allows you to change full memory cards conveniently while shooting your pictures.

- Look and feel. It is essential for you to feel comfortable holding your digital camera while shooting. So, before you buy, it is a good idea to test and check if you are comfortable holding it and using it. Consider where the buttons are located and how they are spaced out and see also if you feel comfortable using the viewfinder.

- Battery life. Digital cameras use up batteries fast and batteries are expensive. Before you buy one, consider if the camera's batteries are rechargeable. This way you can recharge them. Take also into consideration an AC adapter when you buy your new camera. You can attach this to the camera when you are viewing your pictures or uploading them thus saving on battery usage.

- LCD. The LCD is a special consideration you have to look into when you buy a digital camera. This is a small screen located at the back of the camera that enables you to preview the pictures you have taken. This has to be considered when you buy a camera because it uses up a lot of battery power. Most digital cameras allow you to take photos through the viewfinder as well as through the LCD screen. This also helps to cut down on battery usage.

- Special features. Special features that will suit your needs should be thought about too before you buy. If you want your camera to have good zooming capacity, you can opt for one with optical zoom lenses. A diopter adjustment on the digital camera's viewfinder will also be beneficial to those who regularly wear glasses. Other features such as remote control, tripods, etc. can also be considered.

Once you have gathered together this information, you will be in a much better position to decide what you really need and want before you buy a digital camera. If you want to see ratings and rankings of these devices based on price, resolution or other features, check out the various websites that have these on the Internet. With this knowledge you should be able to choose a digital camera that is just right for you.