If you're looking for a good compact digital camera, and feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, this article is for you. It is not so difficult to choose a good camera using the right kind of information.
Does Brand Matter?
Yes, brand matters. A company having a track record of quality and reliability is much more prone to give you a satisfactory product, one that meets your needs. Finding a decent "no name" product could be a very hit and miss process -- if you "miss," you've wasted your time and effort and perhaps your hard earned money.
This short article concentrates on Canon cameras -- primarily because I've had very positive experience with Canon products, those I own myself and those owned by family members. My very own Canon Powershot model is well-made, simple to use, produces good quality photos, and I've didn't have any problem using the camera. Everything adds up to a good reason to stay using what I know.
Lens Quality
For just about any camera, lens quality is the first element in determining display quality. Before purchasing my own Canon I read some very extensive technical reviews, and reduced my option to two possible brands. I quickly checked out the large variety of standardized test shots as part of that review, and also the excellence of the Canon shots impressed me, confirming my experience with an earlier Canon camera.
In my opinion, Canon lenses produce the crisp color and well-defined detail that turns a good photo right 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 all designed with a fundamental set of technologies, from the smallest point-and-shoot model up to the more advanced SLR-types. You can expect to find a nice range of features on every Canon camera without having to spend a lot of money; if you just want a compact model you may still take top quality photos.
These technologies can consist of
Optical image stabilization, which compensates for trembling camera.
Intelligent contrast correction and red-eye reduction reduce the requirement for editing.
Scene and face recognition technology **ist in improving exposure and white balance.
Face self-timer -- the timer beeps when you have moved in to the picture and it detects another face. (This can be a newer feature; double-check to ensure it's on the camera that interests you).
Optical Zoom -- preserves quality and resolution when zooming, as opposed to zoom. (Available zoom levels will be different from one model to another.)
For simplicity of use and general setup I have found canon's models to become quite satisfactory; the controls are reasonably intuitive and there's a decent manual to describe more complex features. Use the manual for just about any camera you purchase; if you do not you could miss out on half the characteristics!
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Choosing a Specific Model
Having chosen a brand (whether that's Canon or you curently have a favorite brand), you are able to narrow down on a specific compact model. Would you like a totally automatic point and shoot camera? Or do you want the option for some manual settings, too? Do you want to keep it basic, or are you willing to purchase extra "bells and whistles"? Decide on the utmost you're prepared to pay then apply at the models that fit within your range.
Here is a small tip. Most camera companies enhance new models frequently, with minimal changes between the new model and the previous version. With lots of cameras available on the market in the previous release the cost may drop slightly, in your favor if you do not require the "very latest" model.