To zoom in on your digital camera needs, consider these criteria:
Image quality is directly related to resolution (the number of dots, or pixels, that make up a picture). The higher the number of pixels, the better the quality.
Digital camera resolutions range from 640 (vertical pixels) by 480 (horizontal pixels) to three megapixels. A 1,024 x 768 model gives you the film resolution of a 3“ x 5“ print; a 1,600 x 1,200 produces the film resolution of an 8“ x 10“ print.
Storage formats should also factor into your purchasing decision. Although most digital cameras have some form of removable storage, low-end units have only fixed storage, so you must constantly download or delete pictures to free up memory. Two popular removable formats are the cheaper and high-storage capacity Compact Flash and the ultra-slim Smart Media card. To avoid constantly being tethered to the computer, stock up on these reusable cards (they cost roughly $25 to $50 per megabyte) and swap them in and out like rolls of film.
Image capacity refers to the number of photos a camera can store. Low-end cameras generally come with 2-megabyte cards; higher-end models come with 16-MB cards. If you want lots of super-sharp photos and don't want to constantly have to clear memory, you'll need large-capacity or several spare cards.
Transferring options can make downloading images to the computer a two-minute task or a lengthy project. Digital cameras send images to your system using one or more of the following methods:
-Connecting a cable from the computer's serial port (slow) or parallel port (faster).
-Attaching a memory-card reader to your computer, allowing you to easily slide in removable cards for instant downloads.
-Plugging in a floppy disk adapter to your computer or popping a floppy directly from the camera to the PC.
-Using an infrared wireless connection that beams images to the computer.
Battery life should also play a role in your buying decision. It's best to shop for a camera that has rechargeable nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries. Alkaline batteries don't last very long.
Source: Good Housekeeping
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