You want to buy a camera but you don’t know what kind to get. All you know is you want the best bang for your point and shoot buck. You’re not ready for the SLR’s, which offer complex manual options and interchangeable lenses. You want the simple stuff. You click the button, it takes a picture. Only thing is, there are too many models with different prices and different features to choose from. Don’t worry! Read on for some helpful tips on choosing the best camera for you.
Types of Point-and-shoot cameras:
The first thing you need to do is name your price. Figure out what your budget is and then you can move on to what type of camera you want!
There are a lot of camera types out there. How many types? Well, let’s break them down.
Standard: A standard camera will produce decent photos and can be a good, cheap camera option. Don’t be fooled though, they may have high megapixel counts, but they will also have small sensors, which reduce quality. Standard cameras are simple to use because there are not many extra features, which can be either a big flaw or a big plus. If you’re just looking to take some candid shots at the next family barbeque, this will do the trick.
Advanced: Compared to the standards, advanced cameras offer better hardware, more manual controls, and better performance. They are a good next step for casual photographers looking for some more capabilities. You can control the shutter and iso, which can help with image quality in less than desirable conditions. Advanced cameras tend to be more expensive than a standard point and shoot and a bit more complicated to use.
Rugged – If you’re the outdoors type, you may want to consider getting a waterproof rugged camera. If you’re hiking up the mountain, or surfing at the beach, these will be great. They are durable, waterproof, resistant to cold and sand. Beware, they may not have the features that go along with the other types and the quality may not be up to par. However, if you are snorkeling, you’ll want a rugged to snap off that once in a lifetime shot.
Megazoom – These bad boys can offer up to 30x zoom, an impressive feat for a point and shoot. You’ll also get a bunch of customizable manual controls, with decent image stabilization. If you are a sports fanatic, these will be good to help capture the action. If you are a bird watcher, you’ll have a good chance of catching that rare sighting in good focus. The only cons are that they tend to be bigger than the normal variety, and they can be more expensive.
Compact Megazoom – Compact Megazooms offer the benefits of the megazoom, without the bulk. They won’t get the same zoom range, usually offering around 15x, but you’ll be able to carry this the same way you would a regular point and shoot. These will also be more expensive, but pack great image stabilization along with good sets of manual controls.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Megapixels does not necessarily equal better quality, especially with a small image sensor.
- Forget digital zoom, go for optical zoom.
- Point and shoots will offer different modes depending on the situation. Features can vary between sunset mode and sports mode.
- Bid for a camera with wireless, they are out there.
- Some cameras take batteries, other have rechargeables. Decide what’s right for you.
- Sometimes, you can save your images with different degrees of quality. They range from low quality JPEGs to high quality RAW.
- Don’t forget that most cameras offer HD video. If you see yourself using this feature, make sure you get one that shoots at a high resolution.
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