That special someone has been hinting that they would like a new digital camera. Maybe, you have just decided on your own that they would like one. Yet, how to you choose the right camera? How much do you need to spend to get a good one? What brand should you choose? Where should you buy it? What about megapixels? All important questions, but unless you really know photography and digital cameras, it is easy to get the wrong answers.
First, I'll assume that person you are giving the digital camera to as a gift has not told you which camera they want, I they have, it is easy to find a place online that has a good price and order it. Just make sure that the warranty for the camera covers whatever country you live by avoiding grey-market cameras.
The next step is to decide what your budget is and what type of photography the person likes to do. At the low end, you should be able to find a very good point-and-shoot digital camera for $200-$300. In the $300-$400 range, for just a little more, you can get a much higher resolution camera with the latest image chip technology. If the person is someone who wants to become a photographer someday, or an advanced hobbyist, you will want to look into a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) like the Canon Digital Rebel series. These cost about $800 with a lens. Nikon has a competing model also. The DSLR's usually have better performance then point-and-shoot models and the ability to change lenses. They also have the highest image quality.
What brand of digital camera should you buy? I always recommend Canon or Nikon. These two manufacturers have dominated the film market because of their reputation for excellent products. They have the most experience in photography and are the choice of most professionals. Although many consumer electronics companies do have some good cameras, just because they make a good TV does not mean they make a good camera. Salesmen like to push them because the markup is often higher on non-photographic brands. My personal favorite is Canon, but I would never be disappointed if someone bought me a Nikon.
As a professional, I have often been asked the question about which camera brand. More than once, after asking my opinion, the person would argue about some consumer electronics brand that had so many megapixels and so many more features must be better. They would argue that it was a much better camera. A month or two later would come the next wave of people. This group would be asking if buying a used camera from a friend is a good idea. Strange, but it always seems to be the model that a month or two before was so much better that what I recommended. Buy a good camera from Nikon or Canon. You will be glad you did.
So what about megapixels? More is not always better. First, for casual picture takers I recommend a camera that has about 6 megapixels. Never buy anything less than a 5 megapixel camera. A six megapixel camera will produce images that rival a 35mm camera which has been the standard for years. This will keep the camera useful for a long time. For all but professional use (and even for many professionals) and 8 megapixel camera is more than enough.
There have been some problems with noise on high pixel count point-and-shoot digital cameras. While the resolution may be nice with a 10 megapixel camera from a consumer electronics company, you may find a 7-8 megapixel camera from a genuine camera company produces a high quality of image. DSLR's from Canon and Nikon do not have the noise problems usually seen in point-and-shoot cameras. Do not forget that larger image sizes need a faster computer and more space to archive on a computer. A real waste, since most people never make anything larger than an 8x10 print.
A higher pixel count is an easy way for camera manufacturers to demonstrate one camera may be better than another, even though it is something that most people pay extra for and do not really use. The most important improvements in digital cameras right now are in the areas of shadow and highlight detail, low noise, improved ISO settings and quality. Unfortunately, better shadow detail does not make as good an ad as 20 megapixels.
There are my suggestions for buying a digital camera as a gift. On the low end, look for a 6 megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera. On the high, end look for 8 megapixel point-and-shoot or a DSLR. You can save quite a bit buying a digital camera online. If you think you need advice, do not go to a consumer electronics store and ask a salesman. Find a true local camera store that specializes in selling cameras. Get your advice there and then reward them by buying the camera from them.
You can get additional information on how to take better photos here [http://www.photographybyjet.com/how-to-take-better-photos/How-to-choose-digital-camera/how-to-choose-a-digital-camera.htm]. James Thoenes is a professional photographer with over 20 years in photography. Learn how to take better photos at his website http://www.photographybyjet.com.
By James Thoenes
First, I'll assume that person you are giving the digital camera to as a gift has not told you which camera they want, I they have, it is easy to find a place online that has a good price and order it. Just make sure that the warranty for the camera covers whatever country you live by avoiding grey-market cameras.
The next step is to decide what your budget is and what type of photography the person likes to do. At the low end, you should be able to find a very good point-and-shoot digital camera for $200-$300. In the $300-$400 range, for just a little more, you can get a much higher resolution camera with the latest image chip technology. If the person is someone who wants to become a photographer someday, or an advanced hobbyist, you will want to look into a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) like the Canon Digital Rebel series. These cost about $800 with a lens. Nikon has a competing model also. The DSLR's usually have better performance then point-and-shoot models and the ability to change lenses. They also have the highest image quality.
What brand of digital camera should you buy? I always recommend Canon or Nikon. These two manufacturers have dominated the film market because of their reputation for excellent products. They have the most experience in photography and are the choice of most professionals. Although many consumer electronics companies do have some good cameras, just because they make a good TV does not mean they make a good camera. Salesmen like to push them because the markup is often higher on non-photographic brands. My personal favorite is Canon, but I would never be disappointed if someone bought me a Nikon.
As a professional, I have often been asked the question about which camera brand. More than once, after asking my opinion, the person would argue about some consumer electronics brand that had so many megapixels and so many more features must be better. They would argue that it was a much better camera. A month or two later would come the next wave of people. This group would be asking if buying a used camera from a friend is a good idea. Strange, but it always seems to be the model that a month or two before was so much better that what I recommended. Buy a good camera from Nikon or Canon. You will be glad you did.
So what about megapixels? More is not always better. First, for casual picture takers I recommend a camera that has about 6 megapixels. Never buy anything less than a 5 megapixel camera. A six megapixel camera will produce images that rival a 35mm camera which has been the standard for years. This will keep the camera useful for a long time. For all but professional use (and even for many professionals) and 8 megapixel camera is more than enough.
There have been some problems with noise on high pixel count point-and-shoot digital cameras. While the resolution may be nice with a 10 megapixel camera from a consumer electronics company, you may find a 7-8 megapixel camera from a genuine camera company produces a high quality of image. DSLR's from Canon and Nikon do not have the noise problems usually seen in point-and-shoot cameras. Do not forget that larger image sizes need a faster computer and more space to archive on a computer. A real waste, since most people never make anything larger than an 8x10 print.
A higher pixel count is an easy way for camera manufacturers to demonstrate one camera may be better than another, even though it is something that most people pay extra for and do not really use. The most important improvements in digital cameras right now are in the areas of shadow and highlight detail, low noise, improved ISO settings and quality. Unfortunately, better shadow detail does not make as good an ad as 20 megapixels.
There are my suggestions for buying a digital camera as a gift. On the low end, look for a 6 megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera. On the high, end look for 8 megapixel point-and-shoot or a DSLR. You can save quite a bit buying a digital camera online. If you think you need advice, do not go to a consumer electronics store and ask a salesman. Find a true local camera store that specializes in selling cameras. Get your advice there and then reward them by buying the camera from them.
You can get additional information on how to take better photos here [http://www.photographybyjet.com/how-to-take-better-photos/How-to-choose-digital-camera/how-to-choose-a-digital-camera.htm]. James Thoenes is a professional photographer with over 20 years in photography. Learn how to take better photos at his website http://www.photographybyjet.com.
By James Thoenes
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