What Camera Should You Buy?

So, you have a trip coming up, and the camera you have is getting old. New technology is out, and you want it. Which one should you get?

While there is no one right answer, there are a few things to consider when purchasing a new camera:

Size. This may seem obvious, but some people are unaware of just how much size will impact their experience with their camera. There are three general size categories:

1. Compact cameras that fit in your pocket
2. Point-and-shoot cameras that don’t fit in your pocket
3. SLRs

Start with the largest size you would consider because, generally speaking, bigger is better when it comes to cameras. If it’s an SLR, would you mind carrying it to dinner? Are you willing to tolerate having a camera strapped around your neck in public and/or carry an extra bag to hold your camera and lenses when not in use?

Speed. Some people buy point-and-shoot cameras and want to capture a lot of action. That technology is just not here yet. While digital cameras have for a long time been able to capture many frames per second, focusing speed is another issue. Leave that capability to an SLR instead.

Image Quality. Advancements in image quality have been substantial in recent years. Studies in image quality can be very technical, but for the most part a larger image sensor (the part of the camera that captures the light) has a higher signal-to-noise ratio. SLRs have larger sensors than do compact cameras, so their quality is typically better — in terms of lower noise, that is. For those who are unfamiliar with noise, think of it as grain, except that noise is more objectionable as it comes in the form of blotches and colored pixels.

Battery Life (and Type). Most digital cameras come with rechargeable batteries. Those are good, so long as you have adequate access to power and are willing to bring along the appropriate power adapters if traveling abroad. If you’re going on a long camping trip, however, the capability of using disposable batteries can come in handy. Cameras that are able to use either rechargeable or disposable batteries (like AAs) are ideal.

Ease of Use. This is probably the biggest factor. Nothing is worse than having a tool that you don’t enjoy using. If the controls and/or the menu system causes frustration, move on to the next candidate. Simple as that.

Media Type(s). This is not really an issue. Just keep in mind that some manufacturers use their own proprietary media formats, so downloading the images can sometimes present an inconvenience if you don’t have the right cables or card readers. Compact flash and SD cards are still the most popular formats.

Brand. This is the one most people seem to be stuck on. The fact is, most cameras are adequate for most people in terms of features and reliability. The lifespan of a digital camera is not very long because technology changes and people replace older models. What you’ll find that distinguishes brands from each other are the other factors listed above. When you’re satisfied with the speed, image quality, battery life, ease of use and media type, the brand is not as important. What is more important at that point is price.

That’s basically it! For those of you who are wondering why there is no mention of resolution, that’s because resolution really isn’t important. The only people who should be concerned about resolution are working professional photographers, and that is an audience who considers a much more extensive list of things when shopping for a new camera. But if you really must know, more megapixels — in the same sized sensor — typically means more noise. Let’s also not forget that more megapixels take up more of our hard drive space.

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