How to Determine Your Budget for Buying a Digital Camera

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:DetermineBudgetBuyingDigitalCamera
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How to Determine Your Budget for Buying a Digital Camera

Introduction

Seems like every choice comes down to one thing: the budget. Your budget for buying a digital camera will determine what kind of camera you get, what features it will have and what level of performance the camera will give you. The trick is to match your expectations of use to the camera's abilities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Expect to spend $200 or less for a point-and-shoot, entry-level camera. You won't have too many frills or control over things like the exposure and shutter speed, but you will be able to take decent pictures, provided you don't want to make large-sized prints.
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Step Two

Budget at least $400 to $600 for a basic digital camera that has a few extra features to play around with. At this price range you should get solid low-light performance and a considerable amount of hands-on control. If you want to use your camera for large, quality prints, start shopping in this range.
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Step Three

Plan on spending at least $800 if you are a serious amateur who wants to publish digital photos and get paid for them. Cameras available for this money should accept other lenses, have total or near total manual control and exhibit almost flawless design.
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Step Four

Break into the professional world with at least $1600. The cameras up here are slick and sexy with a daunting array of control choices, accessories and features. If you're spending this kind of money you should get a camera with magazine quality performance.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • Accessories cost money. Include a few basics in your budget like storage media, rechargeable batteries and a charger.
  • If you really want to get a cheap digital camera, go with CMOS technology rather than CCD. The picture quality is not as good, but you spend less money.
  • Look for cameras that are almost identical to a higher priced model but without this season's hot new feature. The new thing is usually the only thing that puts the camera up into the next budget range.
  • The smaller they are the more expensive they get. If you expect the same level of performance, that is. Larger digital cameras with similar features are often cheaper.
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