Today’s digital cameras come with a lot of features. Some of these features and extras may be confusing, especially when you are trying to purchase your first camera. But, if you take into consideration these ten buying tips, you will be able to make a better informed decision about the type of digital camera that will make the most of your picture taking experience.

1. The first thing you need to think about is your needs. You will want to find a camera that fits your needs so that you will not waste money on extra features that you are not likely to use. Things like manual controls, video recording, and optical zoom lenses can have different options that come with them, so make sure you know what you want before you begin to shop for a digital camera.

2. If you are planning to shoot a lot of pictures outdoors, make sure that you find a model that has a bright LCD screen. This way, you will be able to see what you are doing even in bright sunlight. Also, make sure that the display is large enough for you to see and be able to review your pictures while still on the camera.

3. New or casual photographers should not look for a manual camera. Manual functions may confuse you, and if you don’t have them set correctly, none of the pictures will turn out. So if you do not want to take the time to learn to use all of your camera’s manual functions, save you money and buy a camera that has more automatic features.

4. You will want to select a digital camera that has the maximum resolution that will meet your largest output needs. The larger the prints you want to make, the more megapixels you will need. If you do not plan to print larger than an 8x10 print, you will only need a four megapixel camera model. The megapixels of a digital camera refer to the amount of dots used to make up the actual picture. The more dots, the clearer the picture and the larger the picture can be blown up while retaining the original quality.

5. When you are looking at the camera, make sure you test how fast the camera can perform. If it takes longer than four seconds, it will probably be an uncomfortable camera to take a lot of pictures with. The longer it takes, the less you will be able to take those spontaneous pictures that will turn out well.

6. If you have problems with arthritis or are buying a camera for a child with smaller hands and fingers, make sure the model of camera that you are looking for will have large buttons that are easy to press. Smaller buttons will make it more difficult for you to change the functions on your camera and may also hinder you trying to view the pictures on your camera.

7. Find a digital camera with video options. When out and about with family or friends, there will be times when a picture just will not do justice to the occasion. This is the best time to use the video option on the camera. These videos can be shot anywhere from one minute to twenty minutes or more depending on the size of the digital camera memory card and then downloaded to your computer to burn to a disk or share via email.

8. Make sure that when you are looking at the zoom functions of your camera, you are paying attention to the optical zoom, not the digital zoom. The digital zoom will not help you take better pictures, but the optical zoom will. The optical zoom moves the lens closer to the image, the digital zoom simply increases the size of the images digitally which can make for a grainy picture quality.

9. Choose the right battery power. Digital cameras use a LOT of battery power to function. It is essential to choose a digital camera with a rechargeable battery or to use rechargeable batteries in your camera. Many digital cameras today come with lithium ion batteries that will hold a charge of 4 to 6 hours or more depending on usage, these are the best choice for digital cameras.

10. Lastly, you should remember that when you compare costs between camera models, you need to calculate the extras that will be a part of your total camera purchase. Some of these are included, but some are not. The extra costs you will want to watch for are things like batteries, chargers, and extra memory cards to store your pictures on until you are ready to download them to a computer.

Once you have chosen the camera that you want to buy, make sure to read the manual and learn how to use all of your different functions. A digital camera is only as good as the photographer, so use it frequently in order to get used to it. Since it is a digital camera, you can take lots of test shots in order to get used to it, since you don’t have to worry about wasting the money on film. Download your test shots and see what functions work to take the best pictures for you. A digital camera is a great product to have for all your picture taking needs.