Choosing a Camera

First look at the most important features to you, narrow the field by reading what the pros say, finally, pick the one that meets your needs best.

While many people think about travel when they look for a camers, I would argue that most of the time you're shooting photos, you're traveling in one way or another. For this reason, I wouldn't let compactness override the features most important in a camera. After all, you're buying great pictures, not more space in your pockets. If your pockets are too full, buy a fanny pack.

Here is some good advice on choosing a digital camera from a poster at Fodor's message board:

posted by: toedtoes

First, go to betterphoto.com's digital camera calculator for a list of about 10-15 camera choices in your price range.

Then go to www.dpreview.com and read the reviews of the cameras on the list. Cross off anything that doesn't get a "Recommended" or higher rating.

That should get you down to 2 or 3 cameras.

Now look at the differences and decide which one will give you more of what you want and less of what you don't want. For example, if you are down to 2 cameras and one has a 10x optical zoom but takes a proprietary battery, and the other has a 4x optical zoom but takes AA batteries, decide which is more important to you: more zoom capability or AA compatibility.I have found this to be the easiest way to sort through all the choices out there. By the time you're actually comparing cameras, you have less than 5 that you're looking at.

Good advice.