If you're looking for a great compact digital camera, and feeling at a loss for all the choices, this article is for you personally. It is not so desperately to choose a great camera with the appropriate information.
Does Brand Matter?
Yes, brand matters. A business having a reputation for quality and reliability is more likely to provide you with a satisfactory product, one which meets your requirements. Finding a decent "no name" product can be a very hit and miss process -- if you "miss," you've wasted your time and possibly your hard earned money.
This article concentrates on Canon cameras -- primarily because I've had very positive knowledge about Canon products, those I own myself and those belonging to family members. My own Canon Powershot model is well-made, easy to use, produces top quality photos, and I've didn't have any problem using the camera. All that adds up to a very good reason to stick with what I understand.
Lens Quality
For just about any camera, lens quality may be the first element in determining picture quality. Before purchasing my very own Canon I just read some very extensive technical reviews, and reduced my choice to two possible brands. Then I looked at the big number of standardized test shots as part of that review, and the quality of the Canon shots impressed me, confirming my knowledge about a previous Canon digital camera.
In my opinion, Canon lenses make the crisp color and well-defined detail that turns a great photo into a "wow!" photo. Comparing photos from my Canon, along with a camera of the different brand, there wasn't any contest -- in color reproduction, focus, detail and overall impression the shots in the Canon were far superior.
Features
Canon cameras are equipped with a basic set of technologies, in the smallest point-and-shoot model to the more advanced SLR-types. You will probably look for a nice range of features on every Canon camera without having to spend a fortune; if you just want a concise model you can still take good quality photos.
These technologies include things like
Optical image stabilization, which compensates for camera shake.
Intelligent contrast correction and red-eye reduction reduce the requirement for editing.
Scene and face recognition technology help to improve exposure and white balance.
Face self-timer -- the timer goes off when you have moved in to the picture also it detects another face. (This can be a newer feature; double-check to ensure it's around the camera that interests you).
Optical Zoom -- preserves quality and resolution when zooming, as opposed to digital zoom. (Available zoom levels will vary in one model to another.)
For ease of use and general setup I have found the Canon models to become quite satisfactory; the controls are reasonably intuitive and there is a decent manual to explain more complex features. Do use the manual for just about any camera you purchase; if you don't you can miss out on half the characteristics!
canon Digital camera
Choosing a Specific Model
Having chosen a brandname (whether that's Canon or you curently have a popular brand), you are able to narrow down on a specific compact model. Would you like a totally automatic point and shoot camera? Or would you like the choice for many manual settings, too? Would you like to ensure that it stays basic, or are you prepared to pay for extra "bells and whistles"? Choose the maximum you're willing to pay then apply in the models that suit in your range.
Here's a small tip. Most camera companies bring out new models frequently, with minimal changes between your new model and the previous version. With a lot of cameras on the market in the previous release the price may drop slightly, in your favor if you do not require the "very latest" model.