Buying a digital camcorder might be a tricky issue if you do not consider the following I have been thinking of buying a Digital camera/Camcorder for a very long time but still was unable
to decide what to buy. The following detail from a site gave me some support . I think it would be useful for those who are in the same situation
Before buying a digital camera be sure of the following :-
What is my usage ?1.Web page and email
An entry level digital camera would serve your purpose. These cost efficient Digicams help you take pictures quickly and easily for use on a computer.
Note : These Digicams are not a substitute for normal film cameras and are not recommended if you wish to print your pictures
2.Printing pictures
If you wish to print your pictures you need MEGA Pixel Cameras. Your decision depends on the size of your prints.
5 x 7 upto 1 Mega Pixel
8 x 10 2 Mega Pixel
11 x 14 3 Mega Pixel
14 x 16 4 Mega Pixel
16 x 20 5 Mega Pixel
3.For video and voice recording
If you wish to record videos or voices, look for Digicams that offer the facility. Remember that these Digicams are not the same as camcorders.
4.Professional Photographer
If you are a professional photographer and need advanced features that will help you get the desired effect on the pictures you take, opt for Professional Digicams.
How Much Memory Do I need’Memory’ is the amount of images that can be stored on a camera. Pictures in a regular film camera are stored on a film. In a Digicam, pictures are stored on a removable memory card. Unlike film rolls, memory cards are reusable therefore you only need one.
There are 2 types of memory cards, CompactFlash and SmartMedia. Both these cards perform the same functions. Most Digicams accept either of these two formats. Sony TM brand Digicams use the Sony Memory Stick format and don’t accept other memory cards.
Types of ZoomzZoom
Digital Cameras usually have two kinds of zooms:
1. Optical Zoom:
This zoom allows you to get a closer view before you take your picture. Optical zoom changes the magnification of images with the actual optical glass before the images reach the imaging sensor. A true zoom.
2. Digital Zoom:
This zoom crops then enlarges the image digitally after using the optical zoom. This causes a slight loss in resolution.
Digital Cameras use both types of zoom. Always buy a camera with a higher optical zoom as it increases the quality of the image.
This would hopefully solve some of the opaqueness in the digital camera buying but still money might be a constraint while buying the desired camera