Digital Cameras: A Buyers Guide for Digital Cameras

By now, there are tons of people who have their hands on digital cameras. Some would think that almost every household has at least on digital camera, which is the same misconception people have about computers. Yes, it is true, there are many who still have not jumped the hi-tech band wagon and purchased a digital camera. Are you one of them? If so this is a must read article.

Fist, if you are scared by the technology that a digital camera delivers, step back and breathe. There are many basic digital cameras that have limited menu options and they still deliver high quality pictures. The best thing to do is face your fears at a local store. Go to a store that has the actual camera on display. Turn it on and tinker with the camera right there to see which cameras you are able to navigate with limited assistance. Many times the camera functions are self explanatory, but the more a camera brags about being capable of; the more options and buttons you have to navigate through.

The next step after that would be to get a trained sales associate to help you narrow you down to the cameras that delivers just what you need. A lot of people are ecstatic to own a 10.0 mega pixel digital camera, but if your not blowing up pictures the size of posters all the time; than it's just an over indulgence! The typical user should have at least a 3.5 mega pixel digital camera, considering this is the most desired resolution and delivers pictures in clarity clear enough to enlarge to many basic size pictures.

The trained sales associated should be skilled enough to work with in your budget and find your needs in a camera. Don't be talked into something because of a function the sales associate tells you you can't live without, if you don't ever see yourself using it! Many stores have great educated associates working who can help you decide which camera model works best for you. Stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, and Radio Shak for example are just a few stores you may want to check out.

Don't feel pressured into buying your digital camera on the spot. As a matter of fact, the best thing to do is to find two or three models that you really like and go home and research them for prices and product reviews. If you have a computer, this task is very easy. All you have to do is type in the model in an internet search and look for stores that sell the camera. Many stores, like Amazon.com allow you to read reviews from people who own the item. These reviews are VERY helpful, and I consider them to be a valuable source of first hand knowledge. Many times it is these reviews that sway me to buy one model over another.

Once you found the camera that best fits your needs, your budget and has a great consumer rating, your next step will be to figure out where to make the purchase. Making a purchase online is often cheaper than buying from a store. Oddly enough, even when you add shipping charges, you are still saving typically 15-65% off your purchase. The key is knowing what stores are reputable and which one are not. If you feel confident in the store your buying from (maybe you bought items there before or they are well known like Amazon.com or Overstock.com) than go for it!

If you feel better buying your item in a store that has the item for more expensive than what you found on the internet, you may wish to print off proof of the total cost (including shipping) that you would pay online and see if the retailer would match the advertised price. To make a better argument, make sure they know that if they can't match it, you are willing to give your business somewhere else. If you have the attitude that it's either there or here, they are more than likely willing to bend. Some stores will even match and best the price by 10%!

One word of caution, when buying accessories for your new digital camera, it's best t get the basics only. A memory card to hold more pictures (if your digital camera requires one) rechargeable batteries, which may be cheapest at a discount store like WalMart, and a secure carrying case for traveling (unless the camera comes with one already; in that case don't be tricked into buying another one) Other items can wait, such as lens cleaning cloths, tripod stand, and printer dock (which usually isn't worth the money anyway once you factor in the ink costs)

Make sure that the digital camera you are purchasing is definitely the one you are going to be the most satisfied with. Your going to learn the basics on this camera and it's going to be the window to capturing memories that will last forever.