How to compare digital cameras

There are many digital cameras available on the market. It is sometimes difficult to know what to look for. However, with some knowledge of the main ones, you can make a choice that suits your needs specifically. There are two types of digital cameras: the compact cameras with non-removable zoom lenses and the larger DSLRs (digital single lens reflexes) which have provision for interchangeable lenses.

Compact cameras

On deciding which digital camera to buy, some factors have to be considered. Ideal for beginners Compacts are ideal for beginner photographers or for those who prefer the convenience of a small camera that can be tucked away when necessary. They are simple to use and take decent quality images. The digital camera which you buy will of course, depend on the price that you are willing to pay. Compacts are generally cheaper than DSLRs. Some believe that the popularity of the compact camera is being threatened by increasingly high-resolution camera phones, but at least for now, compacts remain far more versatile. Pixel peeping
An important factor to keep in mind when buying a camera is the amount of pixels that it contains. The more pixels a camera has, the larger the size of the images that it produces. Previously, DSLRs were known to contain the most pixels, but these days compacts have caught up. However, more pixels is not always necessarily better. You may be impressed by a larger number of pixels, but unless you print out extremely large prints, you may not even notice the difference.

DSLRs

Ideal for amateurs
If you are prepared to invest in camera equipment in order to take your photography to the next level, then a DSLR is ideal. Although they require a slightly higher level of expertise than compacts, they are also more flexible and allow you to experiment with several options. While it can be argued that many compacts now offer the same features as DSLRs (such as Sport Mode, Landscape Mode or Macro Mode), there is no substitute for the ability to change lenses. Interchangeable lenses
The ability to use different lenses on the same camera is invaluable, given the range of lenses which are available. DSLRs are usually sold with a standard zoom lens
(unless you only buy the body) which is not usually the finest in its range. You will discover that there are several other types of lenses that make the DSLR experience fun. Examples are the fish-eye lens which exaggerates perspective and the macro lens which is ideal for magnifying insects.