Do You Know How To Shop For A Digital Camera

Do you know how to Shop for a camera? Sony has 10 great tips for buying the right camera for you.

I remember when I went last year to look for a new digital camera it was not as easy as just picking one up off the shelf. I know I wanted a small yet nice camera that would not of cost me a arm and a leg. So I began looking around Sams, Walmart, Best Buys as well as K-Mart to see which store had the better price on the digital camera I chose.

At Best Buy the sales person was all over me asking me questions and wanting me to purchase one right then. I was not ready and told him so but the pressure from him still continued. I finally walked away leaving the store.

K-Mart had their digital camera's but not the one I wanted I looked around and they told me I could order it on line. I checked on line but wanted it for a trip I was taking in a few days.

I looked at Walmart seen the Camera on display inquired about it. I decided to leave the store also to see if I could find a better price.

Which brings me to Sam. Yes they had it also on display but did they have one that I could take with me if I decided to purchase it. I walked to the counter where a women was standing behind it and asked her if she know anything about this digital camera I was looking at to purchase. She was honest and told me no. She also informed me if I could stay around she know someone that had one just like the one I wanted there at Sams. An he worked there at the store but was out to lunch, I said ok and she took my name down. About 20 mins later my name was called and I was asked to return to the Camera Department. A Tall gentleman was standing there in his later 20's early 30's I thought to myself he don't know anything, I was wrong he showed me the camera and showed me how to use it with some of the different settings. What a surprise he did know how to use it. I purchased the digital camera and took it on vacation to Gettysburg Pa and took some beautiful pictures of the sun set that weekend.



Top 10 Tips for Buying the Right Camera
Brought to you by Sony

You're ready to buy a camera. You've got your money in hand and you're ready to start shopping. Before going off to purchase the most gleaming model you can afford, prepare yourself with the following essential buying tips.

Know yourself and why you need a camera. Consider your capabilities and interest in photography, and how a digital camera fits into your lifestyle. Different models are better suited for different situations. See if you might fit into one of the three photographer-types listed below:

Novice User: Are you new to the world of digital photography? Many low-cost point-and-shoot digital cameras include a range of standard features that are simple to learn and operate, making them an ideal choice for the beginning or casual photographer.

Intermediate Photographer: If you take a wider array of photographs -- from quick snapshots to vacation photos to sporting events -- you'll need a versatile, full-featured camera that can handle a range of zoom scenarios, photo subjects, lighting conditions, and so on.

Serious Amateur: Are you an experienced photographer that is prepared to pay a higher price for the features, flexibility, and control available only with a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera with interchangeable lenses?

Determine your ideal camera type. Make sure you understand the relative strengths and limitations of point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras, and which is best suited for the photos you want to take. Although there are areas where the lines between point-and-shoots and DSLRs are blurring, the two classes of camera still have their own distinctive features that make them well-suited for different situations. Which camera is best for you can be as simple as needing the image quality of a DSLR or the convenience of a point-and-shoot, or it can be a more involved decision based on your experience level, the type of photos you take, and your desire to use manual settings. Here are some quick features of each camera type to help you decide.

Get a feel for the camera. Hold the camera and take a few photos with it. You'll get more enjoyment from a camera and use it more often if it fits comfortably in your hand and the controls are easy to use.

Look beyond the megapixels. For high-quality photos, consider the size and type of the camera's image sensor.

Check out the zoom and focus features. Higher power zoom lets you get closer to the action, and optical zoom is more important than digital zoom because it doesn't reduce image quality. Auto focus features also are important, but a camera with manual focus features can give you greater flexibility.

Help reduce the risks of blurry photos. Image stabilization is important for helping to reduce shaking and blurriness. Electronic image stabilization is a good start, while optical image stabilization is even better.

Low-light capabilities matter. How well your camera performs in low light matters as much as how well it takes photos in bright sunlight. Cameras that have high ISO sensitivity (ISO ratings 800 or higher) will be better able to capture properly exposed images with reduced blur in dimly lit situations.

Consider advanced features. Think about what additional technology features you want in your camera -- such as face detection or in-camera retouching -- to help you achieve better results and enhance your overall photography experience.

Accessorize in style. Know what accessories you would like to use and what other devices you want to connect to your camera, such as an HDTV to view your photos, in order to make sure it has the right inputs and outputs.

Be sure to comparison shop. Before deciding on a specific model, look at the models above and below it. Sometimes you can get amazing features for only a small price difference.

Hope this post helps some of you when you go to purchase your new digital camera.
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