In order to choose the right camera--one with the right set of features at the right price--you'll need to figure out what you'll be doing with it. Match your needs to one of these user profiles.
User profiles: Snapshooter | Trendsetter | Business user | Serious amateur |
Budget buyer | Undecided
Snapshooter
I want to take photos that I can e-mail to friends and family, post on the Web, or print in sizes smaller than 8x10 inches. I'd like a digital camera that is easy enough for the whole family to use and small enough to take anywhere. I'll be printing on an inexpensive, all-purpose inkjet printer, though I'll consider buying a photo printer if I like the pictures enough.
THE SPECS THAT MATTER:
| Resolution | 4 megapixels or greater |
| Price | $150 to $300 |
| Lens type | Zoom (range encompassing at least 38mm to 114mm, 35mm equivalent) |
| Storage media | Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard |
| Photo file format | JPEG |
| Interfaces | USB, NTSC/PAL television connection |
| Exposure controls | Automatic, programmed scene modes, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure) |
| Focus controls | Automatic |
| Flash modes | Automatic, fill, red-eye reduction |
| Software | Photo stitching, photo album, slide show |
| Multimedia | Video-clip recording with sound |
| Cool features to look for | Direct-to-printer (PictBridge) output compatibility; in-camera red-eye removal; automatic exposure fix; optical or mechanical image stabilization |
Trendsetter I like to buy the newest, shiniest toys before anyone else does. I want to impress my friends and business associates with the latest technologies and coolest features, but not if it makes the product too complicated to use. I care about how much I spend, though it's not one of my top concerns.
THE SPECS THAT MATTER:
| Resolution | 7 megapixels or greater |
| Price | Less than $1,000 |
| Lens type | Zoom (range encompassing at least 36mm to 108mm, 35mm equivalent) |
| Storage media | Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard |
| Photo file format | JPEG |
| Interfaces | USB, NTSC/PAL television connection |
| Exposure controls | Automatic, programmed scene modes, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure) |
| Focus controls | Automatic |
| Flash modes | Automatic, fill, red-eye reduction |
| Software | Photo-stitching, photo album, slide show |
| Multimedia | VGA (640x480), 30-frame-per-second video-clip recording with sound and functioning zoom during video |
| Cool features to look for | Ultracompact design, Webcam capabilities, voice recording, Wi-Fi support, large LCD, simultaneous video and photo capture, 12X or greater optical zoom, optical or mechanical image stabilization |
Business userI need to be able to shoot onsite or in the office, photograph products and people for ads and publicity in print and on the Web, and get professional-looking results without hiring a pro. I need to get prints in a variety of ways, including from a color laser printer or quick-print shop. I have to share the camera with my coworkers.
THE SPECS THAT MATTER:
| Resolution | 5 megapixels or greater |
| Price | $400 to $700 |
| Lens type | Zoom (range encompassing at least 36mm to 130mm, 35mm equivalent) |
| Storage media | CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard |
| Photo file format | JPEG or TIFF |
| Interfaces | USB, NTSC/PAL television connection |
| Exposure controls | Automatic, aperture- and shutter-priority, manual, choice of metering modes, autobracketing |
| Focus controls | Automatic, manual |
| Flash modes | Automatic, fill, red-eye reduction, external flash compatibility |
| Software | Photo editor; collaborative image sharing |
| Multimedia | Voice recording, built-in speaker for audio playback |
| Cool features to look for | Support for digital security, WiFi, text-capture mode, world clock |
Serious amateurI want to shoot stills and video clips for the Web, use creative effects when shooting and manipulating images, have professional-level control, output prints that are 8x10 inches or larger on a high-quality photo printer, and use accessories and different lenses.
THE SPECS THAT MATTER:
| Resolution | 5 megapixels or greater |
| Price | $500 and up |
| Lens type | Supports lens converters or interchangeable lenses or zoom with widest focal range possible |
| Storage media | High-capacity CompactFlash, Hitachi Microdrive, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard |
| Photo file format | JPEG, TIFF (YCbCr or RGB), RAW |
| Interfaces | USB 2.0 or FireWire |
| Exposure controls | Automatic, aperture- and shutter-priority, manual, choice of metering modes, autobracketing |
| Focus controls | Automatic with selectable focus points, manual |
| Flash modes | Automatic, fill, slow sync, hot shoe or contact for external flash |
| Software | Full-featured photo editor, software for PC-controlled capture |
| Multimedia | Voice annotation |
| Cool features to look for | Compatibility with existing 35mm-camera lenses and accessories, customizable user modes, dynamic histogram display, optical or mechanical image stabilization |
Budget buyerI want to find a basic digicam costing less than $200 that will let me post snapshots on the Web; e-mail them to friends; print them in small sizes (4x6 or smaller) on my inexpensive, multipurpose inkjet printer; and get me up and running quickly without requiring me to read the manual. I want a camera that will satisfy me for a few years.
THE SPECS THAT MATTER:
| Resolution | 5 megapixels or greater |
| Price | Less than $200 |
| Lens type | Fixed (between 38mm and 55mm, 35mm equivalent) or zoom (range at least encompassing 38mm to 76mm, 35mm equivalent) |
| Storage media | Internal memory, CompactFlash Type I, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard |
| Photo file format | JPEG |
| Interfaces | USB, NTSC/PAL television connection |
| Exposure controls | Automatic, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure) |
| Focus controls | Autofocus or fixed focus |
| Flash modes | Automatic, fill, red-eye reduction |
| Software | Basic photo editor |
| Cool features to look for | Webcam capabilities, automatic scene modes, continuous-shooting mode, autofocus assist lamp |
UndecidedI want a camera that's easy to use but that I can grow into if I get hooked on digital photography. I want to be able to print good-looking photos at sizes smaller than 8x10 inches on my inexpensive inkjet printer, but I'd like prints that will look OK if I decide to print larger or get a better printer. I want to spend less than $500.
THE SPECS THAT MATTER:
| Resolution | 7 megapixels or greater |
| Price | $300 to $500 |
| Lens type | Zoom (range encompassing at least 34mm to 136mm, 35mm equivalent) |
| Storage media | Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard |
| Photo file format | JPEG, TIFF, RAW |
| Interfaces | USB, NTSC/PAL television connection |
| Exposure controls | Automatic, aperture- and shutter-priority, manual, choice of metering modes, autobracketing |
| Focus controls | Automatic, manual |
| Flash modes | Automatic, fill, slow sync |
| Software | Midrange photo editor |
| Multimedia | Video-clip recording with sound |
| Cool features to look for | Remote control, dynamic histogram display, compatibility with lens converters and accessories; built-in help features; mechanical or optical image stabilization |