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Digital cameras have now exceeded standard film cameras in popularity, and consumer enthusiasm for the advantages offered by digital models shows no sign of changing. Many consumers are asking themselves what kind of digital camera they need? More and more are embracing digital compact cameras as their model of choice.

Contents

• Digital Compact Camera Advantages
• What to Look for in a Digital Compact Camera
• Popular Digital Compact Camera Brands

Digital Compact Camera Advantages

When compared against standard film cameras, the advantages of digital compact cameras are obvious. The savings in money and time are enormous! The cost of film and developing it are both removed, and there is no more waiting hours or days to get your photos back from the developer. There is also no more wondering whether you got the shot you wanted – you can always check your photographs and immediately know if you have that precious memory saved, or if you need another shot to capture it forever.

When compared against digital SLR cameras, there are also a number of distinct advantages to owning a compact digital camera:

Cost: Digital compact cameras are much less expensive than digital SLR cameras. You will be getting more bang for your buck with a compact model.

Point and Shoot: Digital compact cameras are designed to be easy to use in all conditions, and for a wide range of applications. There is no fussing with different settings for different types of pictures, and no need to be schooled in the principles of professional photography – you just point and shoot, and the camera takes care of the rest for you!

Easy to Share Pictures: Digital compact cameras offer less resolution than digital SLR cameras, but this is not the disadvantage that it might seem to be. This reduced resolution is usually not noticeable and still more than sufficient for 99% of your photography needs, but has the immediate benefit of smaller file size per picture. This makes it easy to quickly email, upload, and share your photographs. The bulky picture files created by SLRs can take a long time to upload, even with DSL or broadband service – digital compact camera photo files are designed to make sharing them a snap!

What to Look for in a Digital Compact Camera

Resolution – Most digital compact cameras on the market today feature at least 6 megapixels of resolution, which is adequate for most needs. If you plan on blowing up pictures to a larger size, or taking more detailed photos, go for 10mp or more.

Zoom – For buyers who value cost, a 35mm equivalent zoom that provides 38mm to 76mm will be more than sufficient. If you are looking for a digital compact camera that gives you a little more versatility, look for a model with a zoom that goes to 114mm or higher.

Storage – Most digital compact cameras ship with a relatively small memory card. Update to at least a 1GB (2GB or more is better) card to get the most out of your sessions.

Additional Features – Digital compact cameras with video capabilities are much in demand, and the difference in price is very modest. Battery life is usually good for all digital compact cameras, but get a model that features extended battery life if you anticipate a long time passing between charges. If you plan on taking your camera hiking, biking, or in harsh weather conditions, choose a sturdy, water-resistant model.

Popular Digital Compact Camera Brands

Nikon, Canon, and Olympus are names that need no introduction in the world of photography – their digital compact camera models are at the top of the field for both price and performance. FujiFilm has several very well-reviewed models at a number of different performance levels. Pentax and Panasonic have made an effort to focus on value, and they have a number of good entry-level models. Sony and Kodak have several high-end models that offer outstanding performance and bridge the gap into the digital SLR range of cameras.