If you're making a photo book or plan to take lots of different family photos, knowing how to choose a digital camera that will work well in a lot of different situations is key.

A new digital camera should fit the user in the simplest way, but with some extra features that are appropriate for its use. But everybody is different, and picking the best digital camera depends entirely on what you plan to do with it-- which is why you'll find two handy guides to how to choose a digital camera below - one from a regular user and the other from an expert.

Amateur Photographer's Guide to Picking a Digital Camera

I am am amateur photographer-- but I am the type of photographer who likes to have my digital camera with me and I just take a lot of pictures. Most are good, and some aren't. We capture all the sites when we are on vacation.

While at the Bryce Canyon we took our little Elph camera with us as we descended into the canyon (not as strenuous as going into the Grand Canyon). Since I had a digital camera I could take as many pictures as I wanted and choose the best ones later. I could take nice pictures and still not get tired from carrying the camera-- one thing I advise anybody to look for when learning how to choose a digital camera.

There was another photographer who was taking awesome pictures and using a variety of lenses. Her camera case was as large as my overstuffed carry-on bag. Even though we both had different cameras, we both had the right camera for us. So the first thing to think about is:

How do you want to use your camera?

Yes, fancy cameras are impressive. But you need to know how to choose a digital camera that's right for you-- not somebody else.

Do not get a camera with a lot of lenses if your primary concern is to just have a camera you can tuck into your pocket and take nice-looking pictures. If you're an amateur photographer, you will want to get a different digital camera than that person who knows a ton about photography, and wants to capture a fantastic picture.

My guess is that if you are reading this page you are probably more like me and just want to have a good camera to capture life's moments. If you are the type who wants to take great pictures than you probably already know more than I do!

When Digital Camera Size Matters

No matter what they say, sometimes size does matter. At least, when it comes to buying digtial cameras. In this case the sizes that matter are:

The size of the camera

The size of the memory card

The number of megapixels (and resulting size of the photo), and

The size of the LCD screen

When you look around at how to choose a digital camera, you'll see that it's possible to get a camera that will slip into your pocket or one that requires a case. Choose the one that feels the best to you. A smaller camera might be uncomfortable for you to hold. Maybe a larger camera seems too heavy to carry around. Choose what feels best for you.

The storage medium is a memory card. Make sure that you can get a larger (more storage) memory card if you are someone who takes a lot of pictures. It is now possible to get a memory card that is humongous if you need it!

The LCD screen is what you view through when you take the pictures. Make sure you can see it clearly. Not only when taking pictures, but when accessing the camera's menu. If it is hard to read it will make it unpleasant to use.

When Camera Speed Matters

Another important element to consider when learning how to choose a digital camera is what you're going to photograph.

Plan to take action shots at your son's soccer games? You'll want to be able to take pictures without delay, and you'll want those photos to come out clear even with lots of movement. If your digital camera is slow, you will miss several shots while you wait for one picture to load. Try taking several pictures quickly -- if the camera won't do this, you will probably regret purchasing that camera-- and won't get the shots you want on the field, during the ballet recital, or when your nephew is being handed his diploma.

An Expert's Guide to Choosing a Digital Camera

I can tell you all about how to choose a digital camera if you're a amateur like me looking for something practical, simple, and effective.

But if you really want more information than I am able to give you, I won't leave you high and dry.

Here is a Beginner's Guide to Digital Cameras at photo.net

It even gives you comparisons of all the different camera out there, and is a great resource for helping you choose the best digital camera.

Return from How to Choose a Digital Camera to the Photo Album Printing Primer.