Online Camera Reviews, and How They Can Simplify the Task of Purchasing a Digital Camera

Online camera reviews have greatly mollified the unfortunately daunting task of purchasing a digital camera. With such an abundance of digital cameras offered by so many manufacturers on the market, all of which are hawking their fancy new features, it can be easy to become confused. Fortunately, the internet has given us the means to share infinite amounts of data with each other, and everything from expert recommendations to user experiences is available online for us to read and consider.

Bearing that in mind, here are some of the most crucial aspects to weigh in your final decision:

First of all, do NOT buy a camera based solely on it's mega pixel count. The higher mega pixel camera shoots the same quality of photo as the one with a lesser pixel count. It's able to take a larger image, but the dots per inch (dpi), which dictates the quality, is equal. Usually, something around 5 mega pixels is great for most users, but consult other online camera reviews to find out what works best in specific situations.

On the contrary, one thing that you absolutely DO want is an Image Stabilizer option. This basically means you can take clear, crisp movies and pictures even if you have the shakes, and all without the need to utilize a tripod.

Despite what you may have heard in other online camera reviews, DIGITAL zoom is more or less a waste of time; it simply enhances the photo digitally, so it just makes the pixels larger as you zoom in. OPTICAL zoom, on the other hand, is actual zoom, so it zooms in with NO loss in quality because it actually uses the LENS option to zoom. Something around a 5x optical zoom is a good starting point (and remember, the digital zoom is practically irrelevant.)

Also, get a camera that has an option to connect an A/V cable. Displaying your images to family and friends is infinitely more fun and effective when showing them on your television than when gathering everybody around your computer or, even worse, the tiny screen on the back of your digital camera.

While the importance of having a viewfinder is frequently overlooked in the current digital age, don't underestimate the quick, convenient framing option it allows for. Since some of the viewfinder windows produced now are incredibly small, make sure you get one that measures at least 2 inches diagonally.

Try to purchase a camera that takes standard AA or AAA rechargeable batteries, and get a battery charger that can charge your batteries in around an hour or so.

You'll want a sizable memory card holding at least 500MB (preferably a gigabyte), and one that works at 120X speed or higher - or in other words, writes at 9 MB per second.

For movies, be sure that the camera has a minimum of 30 frames per second, and STEREO sound.

Finally, try to purchase from one of the well-known, trusted brands, such as Nikon, Fujifilm, Canon, or Olympus. And don't be afraid to splurge on the extended warranty - remember, this is a major purchase.

As far as exactly which digital camera to buy, that is a matter of personal preference. I hope you find these tips useful, and remember to consult as many online camera reviews as it takes to help you make your final decision. A great place to get started is right here. You'll find enough online camera reviews to keep you busy for a long time, and hopefully help you make your decision!This Web site