Digital cameras are the wave of the future, and as 2007 begins, digital cameras are getting smaller in size while growing larger in options and features.  Choosing the right digital camera for your photography needs requires an understanding of the technology surrounding digital cameras, as well as your needs as a photographer.  Before you head to the digital camera store, you need to arm yourself with the best digital camera information.

Top digital camera brands

While choosing a camera with the right features to meet your needs should be your first priority, knowing the top brands can help you choose a quality camera.  One tidbit of digital camera information that is extremely helpful when shopping for a camera is that not all digital camera brands are created equal.  A Canon USAÔ digital camera and an ArgusÔ digital camera are not going to take the same quality of pictures, even if they have the same features and resolution.

One of the best quality digital camera brands is SonyÔ.  SonyÔ has been making digital cameras since the beginning of the technology, and their cameras are built to the highest level of digital quality.  NikonÔ digital cameras are on the same level of quality as the SonyÔ  cameras. Both of these brands are, however, some of the more expensive cameras on the market today. 

To have the quality without the high cost of the upper end digital cameras, choose one of the lesser know, but not poorer quality, digital camera options.  The Canon USAÔ digital camera is an affordable option that takes excellent pictures.  KodakÔ  has recently developed quality digital cameras as well.  OlympusÔ  is another option for an affordable digital camera choice.  These three brands offer consumers affordable cameras that have high resolutions and make quality prints.

Many digital video cameras, such as the JVCÔ digital video camera, will also take still shots.  These cameras are coming down in price in 2007, but the still photographs they take are not as high of quality as a regular digital camera.  These cameras are not the best option for those looking to take many still photographs, but the ability to take digital stills is a nice feature to have on a digital video camera.

Point-and-shoot versus digital SLR

The first thing you will need to decide before you head to the digital camera store is whether you want a point-and-shoot digital camera, or a digital single lens reflex, or SLR, camera.  You can take quality pictures with either one, provided you purchase a high enough resolution.  Digital SLR cameras are the cameras that come with the interchangeable lenses.  What the user sees through the viewfinder of the camera is what the lens actually is framing.  This feature is less crucial on a digital camera than a film camera, since the LCD screen shows the actual frame of the picture, but for the avid photographer, seeing exactly what the lens sees at all times is a big plus.

Typically, digital SLR cameras are available with higher resolutions than their point-and-shoot counterparts.  They also give the user more control over shutter speeds and aperture settings.  But they are bigger and much more bulky than digital point-and-shoot cameras, and decidedly more expensive.  For the person looking for a camera to use to snap family or vacation photos, a digital SLR might not be the most convenient option.  For the person who wants to delve into the art of digital photography, a digital SLR is a must!  To get a quality camera, make sure to visit digital SLR camera review sites, such as www.digitalreview.ca/.

If you decide that a compact point-and-shoot camera is a better option for your photography needs, check out consumer review sites for the latest digital camera information from the eyes of those who actually own the cameras.  One site that has helpful reviews of many digital cameras is www.epinions.com.  You will also want to visit www.dcviews.com/ for the latest digital camera information.

What to look for

Once you have decided between a digital SLR and point-and-shoot camera, it is time to decide on the features you need.  The most important feature to look for is resolution.  The resolution of your digital camera determines the quality of your final photograph.  In 2007 the trend will be for resolutions to continue to increase.  To create a quality print, you need a resolution of at least four megapixels.  If you intend to make enlargements, look for a resolution of six megapixels or above.

The next thing to consider is the zoom on the camera. When looking at point-and-shoot digital cameras, they will clearly advertise the length of the zoom.  What they do not always clearly advertise is the type of zoom the camera uses.  There are two main types of digital camera zooming: digital and optical.  Optical is the type of zoom you want, because it entails the camera’s lens actually moving to bring in a closer image.  Digital zoom does not incorporate any movement of the lens, and is in effect the same thing you could do on your computer by zooming in on an already taken picture.  Digital zoom tends to create grainy images. 

The rest of the features on the digital cameras come down to personal preferences and budget.  You can find digital cameras with many specialized settings, such as close up shots, night shots, and sports shots.  These are nice features to have, but you will need to decide which are the most important, for the cheaper cameras, such as the discount CanonÔ digital camera, the Canon PowerShotÔ, might not have all of these options.  As 2007 continues the wave of digital cameras, you can expect these features to continue to expand.  The savvy digital camera shoppers will know what they need before heading to the digital camera store, and ask questions of the employees to determine which cameras will meet their specific needs.  The best way to arm yourself with the top digital camera information before shopping is to know the features that meet your needs.  That way, you will find a camera that is perfect for the people and events you will be shooting.