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Digital Camera Comparison: Right Camera, Best Value

Evaluate reviews and ratings for a digital camera comparison. Professional reviewers and consumers provide valuable insight to anyone shopping for a good digital camera value.

With styles, features, and prices all over the map, digital camera comparisons can be mind-boggling. Pixels, memory, optical and digital zoom, camera size and cost are all factors to compare. So how do we sift through all the hype and find the best digital camera?

Camera Comparison Tips

First identify the prerequisites. A camera is a long term investment. To find the best camera certain basic decisions need to be made before comparing features. These include:

• Suitability – casual snapshots, advanced functions or professional photography.
• Quality – compare quality of both the camera and the photos it takes.
• Size – models to compare include ultra-compact, compact and full-sized cameras.
• Price – compare cameras in a price range set by your needs and budget.

The next step is to compare specific features…

Compare Pixel Quantity and Quality

In general, more is better. Each pixel is a tiny square of light and color. Digital photos can be compared to mosaics – more pixels mean smaller squares and sharper pictures. But comparing pixel quality is just as important.

Get Plenty of Memory

A single digital photograph can require several megabytes, though file type, compression rate and subject matter are all factors. Digital cameras rarely have enough built-in memory so budget for additional removable storage. A general rule is to have at least 256-512MB of removable memory – more if taking high resolution and/or lots of photographs.

Compare removable media compatibility. Compact flash cards are small, universal and reasonably priced. MultiMedia and Secure Digital cards are even smaller. Others such as xD Picture cards, Memory Sticks, SmartMedia and MicroDrives have limited applications, but may be best depending on the camera.

CCD Compared to CMOS

Charged Coupled Devices (CCD) and Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductors (CMOS) are digital camera image sensors. They can be compared to the shutter and film in a traditional camera.

Developed in the mid 1970’s, the CCD is the heart of most digital cameras. With millions of light collecting cells, its image perception can be compared to the human eye. The CCD sensor’s quality makes it the preferred choice for high-end digital cameras.

CMOS sensors were developed in 1998 with technology comparable to processor chips. Advantages are lower cost, less power required and multi-tasking ability. Disadvantages include signal noise and resolution issues. CMOS sensor technology advancements are making digital cameras more affordable, even in the Prosumer and SLR lines.

All Zooms Are Not Equal

In your comparison of best digital cameras, be aware of the zoom issue. Digital zoom isn’t much more than a marketing gimmick. It crops the image on the sensor, reducing total pixels and degrading resolution. Optical zoom magnifies the image before the sensor reads it, retaining full resolution.

Compare These As Well

• Shutter lag – the time lag between shots should be a second or less.
• Start up time – the camera should be ready to take a picture in a second or so.
• Manual override – allows manual exposure and focus adjustments.
• Auto-focus – should be nearly instantaneous in most lighting conditions.

Digital camera ratings often discuss other features, but getting these right will enhance the enjoyment of your digital camera experience for years to come. Find more detailed comparisons at our Digital Camera Technology page.

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