Ask Quill

Digital Cameras

How many megapixels do I need? What’s the difference between digital zoom and optical zoom? If you’re about to buy your first digital camera, it’s easy to become confused by the overwhelming number of models currently on the market.

Following are some tips you can use to help you choose a new camera that’s just right for you…and just right for your office budget, too!

What’s the right number of megapixels?

It all depends on what you’re going to use the camera for. If you’re only going to use your pictures for posting on the Web or sending in an e-mail, you shouldn’t need more than 2 megapixels. If you want large printouts of your photos, than you should get a camera with 5 megapixels or more – you’ll be able to capture all the fine details you’re looking for.

What about a zoom lens?

You’ll most definitely want a camera with decent optical zoom (as opposed to digital zoom). Here’s why: optical zoom physically moves the camera lenses to “zoom” in on your subject – digital zoom only averages and magnifies the image within the camera’s microchip resulting in lower picture quality. Many experts recommend getting at least 3x optical zoom in any camera you buy.

Battery life

Often, this is the feature that digital camera buyers overlook. Make sure you find out how long the batteries in your camera will last so you don’t run out of power during your photo shoot. If you’re using a camera that runs on disposable batteries, AA lithium, CRV2 and AA Oxyride batteries offer longer life than standard alkaline batteries.

Now that you have some basic knowledge about what to look for in a digital camera, it’s time to start shopping. Start by checking out the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H50 (packed with user friendly features) and the Canon PowerShot SD870IS with its 3” pure color LCD screen…or take a step up to the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi with its full array of advanced features and technological advances!