How to Buy a Digital Camera

The Specs Explained

A digital camera's megapixel count is an important spec--but it is by no means the only one. Start with pixels, but make sure to check a few other important numbers when considering a purchase.

Stating the number of megapixels is another way of expressing a camera's resolution; the higher the megapixel number, the higher the resolution. In general, higher-resolution cameras let you produce larger, higher-quality prints. Even a 5-megapixel camera (which is rare these days) can produce images of high enough resolution to produce crisp 11-by-14 prints. The trade-off is that higher-resolution images take up more space on your camera's memory card, so you may be able to take only a small number of shots before you have to download them to your computer. One solution, of course, is to purchase a larger-capacity memory card.

So if you're interested in producing mostly small snapshots or images to send via e-mail or post on the Web, you probably don't need anything better than a 5-megapixel camera. If you want to create large copies of your masterworks, you'll want a camera that captures 6 megapixels or more.

Important: Battery Life

Some digital cameras quickly drain batteries--especially alkaline batteries--which can be expensive and annoying. Battery life and cost often aren't related; some inexpensive cameras have great battery life, and some expensive ones use up a charge quickly. Either way, it's a good idea to buy spare batteries.

Somewhat Important: Megapixels

This figure provides a measure of how much fine detail a camera can capture. With more megapixels, you can print larger photos with better image quality. Most current models offer at least 5 megapixels, which is enough to make a sharp 11-by-14-inch print.

Somewhat Important: Exposure Controls

Some models offer aperture and shutter priority modes, as well as full manual control. Aperture and shutter priority modes allow you to customize the lens opening and shutter speed, respectively. Serious photographers will value these controls, as well as full manual control. Scene modes automate exposure settings, and some point-and-shoots offer many such presets, though accessing the bulk of them is likely to require a trip to the LCD menu.

Somewhat Important: Focal Range

Cameras with greater focal range can zoom out to fit more into a shot or zoom in to fill the frame with the subject. Optical zoom produces sharper images than digital zoom. All new point-and-shoot and advanced cameras offer at least a 3X zoom, and some offer up to 20X zoom (the zoom of a single-lens reflex camera depends on the lens). However, using powerful magnification makes the camera more susceptible to slight shaking, which can result in a blurry shot. If you want a camera with a powerful optical zoom, look for one that also offers optical image stabilization.

Somewhat Important: Manual Focus Override

Focusing the camera yourself can be more accurate than using automatic focus in some situations. SLRs offer a focus ring on their lenses, as do most advanced point-and-shoot models. Most compact point-and-shoot cameras, however, require that you use a button to adjust manual focus (if they offer manual focus at all). Some point-and-shoots provide only a stepped manual focus, meaning that you can set its focus only at a few predetermined distances.