What to remember when buying a digital camera this Christmas

Digital cameras remain a popular choice of Christmas present. Indeed, it’s no surprise that
digital photography, with its blend of state of the art gadgetry and wholesome hobbyist
overtones, is still a fast growing pastime. Photography giant Nikon have just released their
D3x, but reading the blurb I realised how much research a regular person has to do before
making an informed decision of what type of digital camera to buy. I mean, what is a lag time?
And a CF card? What should the average shopper remember when purchasing a digital
camera?

When buying a digital camera it is first important to identify what the user will be using it for.
From this point on it will be easier to decide on whether you want to sacrifice some
functionality for a more compact model, or if the user would in fact be better of with a Digital
SLR (single lens reflex). Unlike ultra compact and compact cameras, advanced and DSLRs
are more likely to be able to accommodate accessories such as lenses and flashes etc.
Similarly, it is also important to bear in mind the weight of the model, and that just five
megapixels are perfectly acceptable for holiday snaps.

Lag time relates to the speed at which the photo is taken after the shoot button is pressed.
Cameras with longer lag times will make it more difficult to get those snaps that are
spontaneous and over in a flash, and are probably more suited to photographers with more
experience. Additionally, some models offer certain modes, i.e. continuous shutter, these
allow the user to take many photos in sequence.

Batteries are also another important aspect to consider. Some cameras take standard AA
batteries, whilst others come with rechargeable battery packs that could require a charger or
need to be charged by hooking up the camera itself to the mains. In these circumstances, it is
also a logical move to spend a bit extra on a secondary battery pack as back-up, just so you
don’t get caught short and with an awesome potential picture before you – the biggest
photographer frustration.

Finally, it is also important to remember such factors as zoom and exposure. It is accepted
that cheap digital cameras and those that are more compact may well not have the option of
being able to control these aspects manually. This, of course, might be a problem for the
budding photography hobbyist wishing to have more control. Also, it is important to note that
whether the model in question comes with presets where exposure is concerned. For
example, a camera with a sport preset might suit one user, but not be worth anything to
another, and may well still increase the price tag.

If you are looking for cheap digital cameras or a Plasma TV, uk.shopping.com and dealtime.co.uk are a great way to find products online, including product reviews.