Tip #3838 - Which Camera Fits You?
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Which
Camera Fits You?
Different settings
mean different cameras. There is no one thumb rule for buying cameras.
It all depends on who you are, what you want and how well you want to
use your digital camera. Here are four shooting scenarios and what sort
of equipment you should be looking for in each case.
The Homebound
If you’re buying
a camera just for the occasional family portrait, you don’t need
anything fancy. A simple camera with a five megapixel rating will do.
You don’t need anything more than a 3x optical zoom either. You
also don’t need many shot settings, because you will probably be
using Auto most of the time. Batteries aren’t that important either.
Just note that even a few shots with the flash will drain the batteries.
We recommend 750 mAh rechargeables, as non-rechargeable batteries are
more expensive in the long run. Consider ordinary batteries only if you
shoot very infrequently.
The Gypsy
If you’re always
on the move, you need something compact that you can slip into those jeans
comfortably. You may also want just the casual shot and enough detail
to capture those unforgettable moments that come by when you’re
traveling. A five to six megapixel camera with a 3x to 6x optical zoom
should be good enough. Slim models happen to be the "in" thing,
so it shouldn’t be hard to find one for yourself.
The Internet
Lover
Some people want a
digital camera mostly for sending photos to family and friends over the
Internet. If you’re that person, you need nothing flashy. Also,
in case the photos are going to be viewed on a computer itself (without
prints being taken), you need something simple and relatively cheap. A
four megapixel camera will do just fine, along with a 2x or 3x optical
zoom, as your need dictates.
The Nature
Lover
So, you like the wild
outdoors? Heading out in your car into the blue yonder? Need to capture
those stunning sights? Since size won’t matter, you can go with
a bulkier camera. Outdoor shooting means intermittent zooming and several
wide angle shots. Wide angle lenses don’t come cheap, but the mid-range
digital cameras of today offer decent wide angle shooting capabilities.
A five megapixel or higher should be your starting point. Look for a 12x
optical zoom. Higher end cameras typically use four batteries, so look
for a 1600 mAh and above rating and go with rechargeable batteries. Some
2300 mAh batteries are also available, but they will set you back a pretty
penny. It's worth the extra time you’ll get with your shooter though!
You’ll also need a large memory card. I suggest a 512 MB or 1 GB
card. In case you like to click a lot, make sure to keep a back up card
as well, just in case the primary one gets full and you have no computer
nearby to do a transfer.
The "Professional"
This refers to someone
who wants quality. You are ready to spend a good amount on a good product
and is more demanding, as far as what you expect from your camera. An
enthusiast doesn’t have a specific need. You may be fascinated by
digital photography and will buy a high end camera to satisfy your desire
to click photos like a professional. You don't have to be a professional,
just simply an avid fan of the art. For the enthusiast though, I recommend
at least a six megapixel camera. Look for features like extra zoom and
a wide angle lens.
Whatever you choose,
I hope you have fun with your new camera!
~ Zahid H. Javali
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