Don't buy a camera based on numbers alone.
Digital cameras have all but replaced their film counterparts for consumer and amateur photography. Film, commercial processing and darkroom equipment have been largely replaced by flash memory, image-manipulation software and a computer. Prices and options on digital cameras can be confusing. Trying the camera out and looking at the results first hand are the best ways to judge what features and specs are important, but there are a few other factors to keep in mind.
Resolution
Digital camera resolution is measured in pixels. Pixels, or picture elements, are most easily compared to the dots on a television or computer CRT monitor. The color and brightness of each phosphor dot on a screen is controlled individually. When all the dots are viewed at once, they form a picture. More dots on the same size screen increase the resolution making images smoother. The rating used for resolution is megapixels. This number is arrived at by multiplying the number of vertical rows of pixels by the number of horizontal rows. Theoretically, the higher the megapixel rating, the crisper the image produced by the camera should be.
Sensors
A high megapixel rating may lose its meaning when comparing cameras. The size and quality of the optical sensor also contribute to the quality of the image produced by the camera. Cameras equipped with a 35mm sensor, a sensor the size of a 35mm film frame, will have better light-catching properties than the sensor in the average compact camera phone with a comparable megapixel rating.
Optical Vs. Digital Zoom
A zoom lens allows you to appear to bring the subject closer to the camera by magnifying the picture. An optical zoom lens does this by actually magnifying the image delivered to the sensor. A digital zoom accomplishes this by reducing the number of pixels around the outer edges of the sensor to record the shot. When the shot is reviewed, the smaller pixel area is digitally enlarged to make the image appear zoomed. The image will be larger, but the image clarity and definition will decline in proportion with the amount of enlargement.
Shutter Lag
Shutter lag is the time that goes by between the time you press the button to take the picture and the time the shutter opens to expose the picture. On some digital cameras, this can be more than one second. This may be acceptable when taking still or posed shots, but it can be frustrating when taking action shots. Some cameras also experience a significant delay between shots while a picture is being saved.
Other Factors
A rechargeable battery pack is less expensive and more environmentally friendly in the long run than a camera powered by standard batteries. Memory media type and capacity determine how many pictures can be taken before you must transfer your shots to a computer and how expensive it will be to replace or purchase additional media for the camera. The type of data-sharing interface also makes a difference when transferring pictures to a computer. Proprietary data cables can get lost or damaged. Cameras that use standard USB cables or removable media will reduce the number of components you need to keep track of or replace.
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