If you’re looking to buy a new point-and-shoot digital camera, then this article is aimed at you. This article will start by taking a look at key features of the majority of digital cameras, then the additional features you might want to look out for, and then I will take a quick look at the key camera manufacturers available at the moment.
Key Features of a Camera
Obviously, each camera has its own unique set of features, but without some features, a modern digital camera would be almost useless, for instance:
LCD Screen: Enables you to see your photos after you have shot them.
Various Automatic Modes: Makes it easy to quickly take photographs using roughly the correct exposure settings for the particular situation.
Zoom: Enables you to get close to the object.
Image Stabilisation: Many cameras these days have this feature, which really helps to produce sharper images in difficult conditions.
Other Features of a Camera
In addition to the most important features mentioned in the previous section, here are some extra features that you may want to look out for:
Smart Auto: As well as the various automatic modes described earlier, some cameras now have the ability to actually automatically select the appropriate scene setting for you.
Smart Portrait Setting: Some newer cameras (such as Nikon) include this feature, which can detect faces and even automatically open the shutter whenever someone smiles.
Auto Panorama: Quickly create wide panoramic views within the camera by taking multiple photos and then letting it automatically stitch them together.
Facial Retouching: Some higher end cameras have the ability to make certain edits within the camera, such as smoothing the skin or removing blemishes.
Built-in GPS Navigation: Easily find locations to shoot and record your location for each shot.
The Most important Companies and their Product Ranges
Canon: $89-$900. Number 1 camera make, with a very large range of cameras (almost 400 of them) to suit all requirements and budgets.
Olympus: $73-$1,049. Like Canon, another major digital camera make with a broad collection of cameras available (more than 350 of them).
Sony: $80-$700. Like Olympus, there are over 350 cameras available here for a wide range of budgets and requirements.
Nikon: $75-700. Also, as with Sony, over 350 digital cameras spread across a large price range.
Kodak: $60-$450. Over 300 cameras, covering everything from simple slim point-and-shoots up to more sophisticated fully-featured cameras with full-size lenses.
Panasonic: $89-$586. Similar to Kodak, a large number of digital cameras covering a wide range.
Fuji: $80-$1,000. Also a decent brand with a large number of different cameras.
Samsung: $80-$850. Again, another decent brand that will be sure to have a camera to suit your needs and/or budget.
Pentax: $75-$400. A decent collection of digital cameras to suit almost anyone.
Casio: $80-350. A good choice of digital cameras at some very reasonable prices, even for the ones with larger lenses and more features.
Vivitar: $20-$120. A good series of low priced compact digital cameras. Great if you’re really low on cash.
General Electric: $60-$195. Not a huge choice (about 70), these cameras are mostly of the compact type.
Polaroid: $24-180. As with General Electric, not a very big series, and mostly compacts. However, if you're struggling money-wise, there are some very low priced cameras.
Author Resource:
Still not sure which product to get? Take a look at Digital Camera Consumer Report where we take a look at all the main digital cameras, such as the the DMC ZS7