Types of Digital Cameras
Digital Camera Basics to Help You Make the Best Choice

Choosing between the many types of digital cameras is easier when you know the digital camera basics. Once you have the right camera knowing the digital photography basics will help you take the pictures you've always wanted to take.

There are still a few people who would prefer to use film photography to digital photography, but for the most part, people have started using digital photography exclusively. I used to be one of those people. When digital cameras first came out I resisted. I hung on to my old manual camera, but eventually I broke down and bought a digital one.

One thing I liked about having a digital camera from the start was being able to see the picture I took on the screen right away. I like being able to tell whether something was a bad shot and delete it right there on the spot.

Digital cameras can be more expensive than film cameras depending on which types of digital cameras you're interested in. What you spend up front on your digital camera will make up for itself in the long run because you won't have to buy film or pay to have that film processed.

Let's take some time to look at the different types of digital cameras so you can have a better understanding of the which camera is best for you.

Ultra Compact or Subcompact

These types of digital cameras are tiny. That's the beauty of them. They can easily fit into your pocket and only weigh a few ounces. If you have one of these small cameras you never feel like it's a hassle to take it with you. You can always have it on hand to take great pictures. As the technology improves these cameras are getting better and better. You're not compromising picture quality for size with these things.

These cameras still aren't all happy goodness though. They're small. That can be a problem. They will never have the same picture quality as a larger camera with a larger sensor. They usually don't have viewfinders. They have tiny controls that can be difficult to operate. They don't have as many features as their larger counterparts. There aren't usually manual settings on these cameras at all giving you less control of how your pictures turn out. They also have a shorter zoom capability.

If you'll need to carry your camera around with you a lot and you don't need to use manual settings this might be the camera for you. These cameras are usually priced in the moderate to high range.

Compact

Compact point in shoot cameras can range in price from $50 and up. They come with a variety of features and can be easy to use.

While these types of digital cameras are good when you're trying to master digital camera basics, don't discount them as being only for beginners. Some compact cameras can be used with manual settings and have a high number of megapixels.

These types of digital cameras are lightweight and compact. Though not as small as an ultracompact, they're still easy to carry with you. I carry my Fujifilm FinePix in my purse with me all the time just in case I see something I want to photograph.

The main problem I have with these compact and ultracompact point and shot cameras is the lag time between when you push the button down and when the camera actually snaps the picture. It makes it difficult to get good action shots.

These cameras are good for taking pictures of your friends and family. They're easy to take with you on vacation and they're all that most people need. If you're not interested in having professional looking photos and only plan to view your photos yourself or email them to friends and family this type of camera is perfect for you. They start in the low price range and go up from there.

Fixed Lens Cameras

These types of digital cameras are larger than compact cameras and often look similar to DSLR's. These camera have zoom lenses that allow you to zoom in 10x or more and have wide angle features. They are perfect for nature photography when getting too close will scare away whatever you're photographing. They're also good for sports photography. The wide angle is great for landscapes. You can get both of these without having to change lenses like you would with a DSLR.

These cameras allow you to have even more manual controls than most compact cameras. They have many of the same features as a DSLR and are geared towards people who are leaning more towards professional photography. You can use an external flash with most of these cameras.

You can't change lenses like you can on a DSLR. The camera lacks the versatility that some photographers need. They still have the problems with lag time that compact cameras have and their smaller sensors don't give you the image quality you can get with a DSLR. These cameras are in the moderate and higher range.

Micro Four Thirds Cameras

These types of digital cameras combine the convenience of the compact camera with the versatility of the DSLR. Micro four thirds cameras are cameras with interchangeable lenses that don't use an internal mirror system. Since they lack the internal mirrors that DSLR cameras have they can be much more compact. This makes them quite easy to carry around with you. The down side of their small size is that they also have small sensors. The small sensors in these cameras lessen the quality of image they are able to produce.

DSLR Cameras

These types of digital cameras are more expensive than point and shoot cameras. Currently start in the $300 range and can run in the thousands. Some cameras run more than that. There are a few draws backs to getting a DSLR but I think there are far more benefits.

The main draw back to getting an DSLR camera is the price. You'll have to shell out some bucks. Get an idea of what you're willing to spend for your camera and then check out things in that range. You can find sales, especially around the holidays.

The other draw back is the bulk of the cameras. DSLR's are heavy annoying to lug around with you. If you're taking it out with you, you're planning on taking pictures that day. You won't just take it out because you might see something interesting.

The biggest benefit to having a DSLR is the picture quality. DSLR's have larger sensors which allows your camera to produce a better quality picture. The pictures don't appear as grainy when printed as a point and shoot camera's pictures do. If you'll planning to make photography your , you definitely need to get a DSLR.

They are also a lot faster than point and shoot cameras. They don't have that lag time between pushing the button and taking the picture. When you take pictures you can use the view finder instead of looking at an LCD screen. This makes your pictures more accurate because you can see exactly what the lense is seeing.

DSLR's have many more manual settings than point and shoot cameras. You can adjust the shutter speed and aperture by hand. This gives you more control over how your pictures come out. If you do decide to purchase a DSLR, you'll need to understand SLR camera lenses.

Now that we've looked at the pros and cons of each type of camera, you're ready to start shopping. Let's look at some basics that you should know about cameras before you make your first purchase. Knowing what to ask about will help you make sure you're getting the best camera for you.