• Kodak EasyShare DX7440 4MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom


• Kodak EasyShare DX4530 5MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom


• Kodak EasyShare C300 3MP Digital Camera


• HP Photosmart R717 6MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Digital Camera Buyer Guide

Now days you don't need to spend more than $200 to get a decent digital camera. Finding a low priced one isn't the hard part. Choosing one that fits you is the hard part, there are so many different choices. Do you want a 3 or 6 MegaPixel camera? What size do you want? Believe it or not, there are digital cameras now that can fit inside your shirt pocket! They come in all shapes an sizes. Are you looking for image quality or features? Hopefully by the end of this guide you'll have figured out all those questions and more.

Types of Digital Cameras

1. Compact - If you do not need a camera for professional use than compact would suit you well. It doesn't offer the professional features of the more expensive models but they are very compact and great for taking casual photos for example on vacation.
   
2. UltraCompacts- Now these are the tiny cameras that fit in the palm of your hand, if you want a camera that is packed with features than the ultracompacts are not for you. If your always on the go and want something nice and small this is your kind of camera.
   
3. Enthusiast- These are full size models with upgraded compact features. The biggest advantage that the enthusiast cameras have over the previous two are its superior images. Lenses on these cameras can also zoom in furthur and other upgraded features include better performance, exposure bracketing, histograms, and manual control for shutter speed.
   
4. SuperZooms- They have 10X zoom lenses or higher, the large lens puts these cameras into the full size category. Prices for these cameras fall between Compact and Enthusiast. Some models have high-end features but most notably image stabilization (corrects for camera shake)
   
5. D-SLRs- On top of all the pro features and functions, these cameras yield performance similar to those of 35mm cameras. D-SLR's produce the highest quality images of all digital cameras.. There are both manual and automatic settings, but to really get the most out of your D-SLR you should use manual controls. Even though this is a professional quality model the D-SLRs can cater to all users including the beginner, professionals, and just those that want the highest quality equipment.
   

Megapixel

• MegaPixel- MP Ratings (1.0, 3.0, etc.) are useful in determining how large your able to print images and also how much you can crop an image while retaining its quality.

Top 10 Buying Tips

1. Select a digital camera with a maximum resolution that meets your largest output you're likely to want. If you want to make 8-by-10 prints, we recommend a 4-megapixel model, though a 3MP camera will do the job. A good 8-megapixel camera can take you all the way up to 16-by-20 prints. If all you want is to take pictures for e-mail or the Web, even 2MP camera will suffice. And remember, megapixels correspond only to image size, not quality.


2. Make sure the camera has the right features for your needs, such as video recording, an optical zoom lens—perhaps even manual controls and a histogram. If you wear eyeglasses but like to take pictures without them, make sure that your camera has a focusable diopter, which lets you adjust the focus of the viewfinder so you can see your subject clearly.
3. Choose a model with a bright LCD so you can see it when shooting outdoors. And make sure the screen is large enough so you can easily compose and review your images on the camera.
4. When comparing costs, don't forget to calculate the extras that may or may not be included, such as rechargeable batteries and a charger, , and a memory card with a high enough capacity to hold all your pictures until you can download them to a PC.
5. Nearly all digital cameras have a USB interface. For higher-megapixel models, try to find one that supports USB 2.0 so you can transfer large image files quickly.
6. When looking at digital cameras with a zoom lens, what counts is the optical zoom—not the digital zoom. Digital zoom is actually a software function that involves cropping and magnifying an image, resulting in a loss of image quality.
7. If you don't know an f-stop from a white balance, a digital camera that has lots of modes and manual settings will generally be overkill for your needs, as well as being higher in price and more difficult to use.
8. Look for a digital camera that comes with a pocket-size instruction manual instead of one on a CD-ROM. It's easier to consult when you're out shooting.
9. For small, young, or arthritic hands, look for a digital camera with a limited number of buttons, and make sure they're large and easy to access and press.
10. Test how fast the camera performs. You will probably be unhappy with any digital camera that takes longer than 4 seconds to boot up or longer than 6 seconds between shots.

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