Choosing the right digital camera can be a challenge. You want one that will take good pictures, is reasonably priced, and is not hard to use. The right camera for you may not be the one that is best for a friend or family member. Your personal needs, photography skills, and overall preferences will all play into which of the top ten digital cameras is right for you.

What Do All Those Words Mean?

If you have never bought a digital camera, you may be very confused by the terminology used in ads, information and by salespeople. Understanding terms like mega pixel and optical zoom can make your camera choice easier.  The LCD screen is the display on the back of the camera that shows the view you will be photographing. It also allows you to review your photos and may allow you to make some simple changes to your photos. The term mega pixel tells you the resolution of your photos. A higher mega pixel value will provide you with clearer photos that print well at larger sizes. Today, all of the top 10 digital cameras are at least 5 mega pixels or MP. This resolution will provide you with clear, crisp, large prints. You may also see the terms optical and digital zoom. Digital zoom functionally crops the photo, but does not provide any true photographic zoom. Cameras with a high optical zoom will provide you with more photo versatility. Many of the top 10 digital cameras come with high 10x or 12x optical zoom features.

You will also find that different cameras have different battery power and memory options. Most of the top selling digital cameras use a memory card. More often than not, your camera will come with an inadequate memory card, and you will need to buy a new one immediately. If you already have other devices that rely on the same sorts of memory, you may want to keep that in mind when purchasing your new top digital camera. Some cameras include their own battery chargers or a camera dock. This is both convenient and saves money.

Choosing the Right Camera for You

Once you understand camera terminology, you can consider which top digital camera best suits your individual needs.  Some of the top digital cameras are small, and easily tucked into a pocket or handbag. Others may be more suited to serious photography and allow you to use a variety of lenses to get the highest quality photos. You may want to start by thinking about how and when you will be taking photos. Are you looking for snapshots of the kids at play or beautiful landscapes? Do you want ease of use or the versatility of a more professional camera? One of the first choices you will need to make is whether you want a point-and-shoot digital camera or a digital SLR camera. You will find both options among the top digital cameras.

One invaluable site for helping you choose which of the top digital cameras will meet your needs is http://www.steves-digicams.com/. This site offers thorough reviews, including test pictures and may help you realize the pros and cons of each of the top digital cameras for your specific needs. All digital camera users will be happy with a camera that takes clear, high resolution photos and has a decent optical zoom. Most of the top digital cameras have at least a 3x optical zoom on today’s market.

While we’d all like to have all the money we want at our disposal, for most of us, budget is also a concern. Comparison shopping for your top digital camera can help you get the most for your money.

Top 10 Digital Cameras

Obviously, reviewers differ on which cameras make the top ten digital cameras list. You may want to read reviews from a variety of sites to narrow down your camera choices. Http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/ is one popular review site that offers top ranked digital camera suggestions. You should also remember to check the dates on any top ten digital cameras lists you refer to, as many may date to 2006 or earlier and thus not be on top of the latest technology. You will also find that some lists focus exclusively on point and shoot cameras, or on SLRs. If you know you want a simple, user friendly point and shoot, http://www.pcworld.com/article/123719-1/article.html may offer you some good suggestions about the top 10 digital cameras that are ready to go out of the box with no photography skill required.

Once you have narrowed your selection down a bit, and know which type of camera and maybe a few models you like, visit your local big box electronics store and play with the cameras. You may find that one that looked great online is a bit bulky or a bit flimsier than you would like. You might like the way one feels in your hand more than another. The right top digital camera for you is one that takes great pictures, is user friendly and that you will enjoy and use regularly.