Compact Digital Cameras - How Do I Choose?

There is so much choice out there when it comes to digital compact cameras that buying one requires some serious navigation of information. Given that we are all taking more photographs than ever and that the cameras themselves are getting better and cheaper all the time, the market place is chock full of products. So, how do you go about selecting one and how do you know which of the many features on offer you really need?

Firstly, and this may sound obvious, but do some thorough research. Go online to look at forums and reviews, or buy one of the various dedicated magazines to help guide you.

Secondly, and if you do only one thing this is probably the most important, go into a store and handle a number of cameras before making a selection. The weight and feel of it in your hand alone will give you an idea of its quality, as will a chat with an in-store expert. When you are spending a few hundred pounds, it's worth chatting to somebody in person about your needs, even if the price of the camera itself might be a little higher. You will also have greater clarity when it comes to warranties and a place to go with a receipt should anything go wrong.

The quality of the images you capture will be greatly determined by the quality of the camera lens. Images can be distorted, the edges blurred and the colour affected by a bad lens so it's worth paying extra for a decent one.

Pixels are the tiny dots that make up a digital image. Megapixels means millions of pixels. The less you have the less detail you can obtain in an image; conversely, the more you are able to capture, the higher resolution, or greater detail, you will have in your photographs.

Lower end digital cameras with around three megapixels will still provide decent six-by-four inch print resolution, and similarly will be fine for viewing photographs on a computer monitor. Around five megapixels will be needed if printing out an A4 image. If blowing up photographs even larger, you will need six megapixels or more to ensure a decent level of detail.

Budget models for on the spot snapping will probably have the lowest resolution on offer. If buying a snapshot camera, go for a major brand and be wary of anything costing less than £100.

Many compact digital cameras provide only a digital zoom option. Digital zooms work by enlarging the central part of a photograph, resulting in a diminution of resolution. You could do exactly the same by simply cropping the photograph after you’ve taken it. With optical zoom, the distance between the lens and the image sensor is lessened resulting in no reduction of quality.

Design is an important factor for some. Metal versus plastic body will affect the price, as will the choice of an all weather or shockproof model.

Whatever you choose, make sure it fits your purpose and your budget, and always purchase the best you can afford to ensure buying something that will last as long as possible.