Do you know that the greatest confusion that digital camera buyers face is with FEATURES. While many consumers look for a digital camera with the MOST Features, the real question to ask yourself is: “Which features do I NEED?”

These tips will help you make the best decision FOR YOU.

Tip #1: Digital SLR or Not?

A Digital SLR (single lens reflex) is made up of the camera body and the lens. If the lens is NOT removable, it is not a Digital SLR. More familiar names for this type of camera are “Point and Shoot,” “Pro-Sumer,” and “Compact.” For simplicity, the key distinguishing feature is whether the lens can be removed or not.

Ask yourself two questions:

“Do you plan on shooting photos in darker-than-normal situations?” If you do, digital cameras capable of high ISO numbers (over 800) and apertures capable of F-stops equal to or less than F/2.8 are desirable. Typically, that is a Digital SLR.

“Will you be taking flash photos at distances greater than 12 feet from your subject(s)?” If so, an external flash unit is needed, and that means your camera must have a hot shoe.

If you have these requirements, Digital SLRs should be strongly considered. If you don’t, you would likely be happy with less sophisticated gear.

Realize that today’s digital SLRs have more features without being more difficult to use. Almost all entry level SLRs are designed to be as simple to use as a Point and Shoot while providing additional features that you can grow into.

Tip #2: What’s The Big Deal About Megapixels?

Megapixels is one of the most talked about (and misunderstood) features in digital photography.

Taking quality pictures is not dependent on megapixels; although you wouldn’t know that by listening to salespeople. Megapixels is JUST ONE FACTOR in creating better digital pictures. Other features are just as important…

How fast or slow you can set the camera’s shutter speed is key. It is also important to be able to manually set the white-balance and to have pre-programmed modes to aid in tricky lighting situations.

The number of megapixels your digital camera has is not the most important factor, but it should not be ignored either. The one area where megapixels is critical deals with cropping.

When you crop a photograph, you are removing pixels from the image. If you start with a greater amount of pixels, the resultant cropped image will be sharper and clearer when you are done.

Tip #3: Forget About Digital Zoom

Although some salespeople might argue with this, when buying a digital camera, COMPLETELY IGNORE ALL DIGITAL ZOOM FIGURES. Why?

Because digital zoom has absolutely no impact on being able to take a photograph of a distant subject by zooming in on it. Manufacturers use it more as a marketing tool than anything else.

Now that you know what to look for, we can show you how to get the best price.

If buying a digital camera on a tight budget, the first step is deciding which category of camera is best for you. There are so many digital cameras on the market today that it is simple to get overwhelmed.

That’s why this step is so helpful. First, it narrows the field down to a more manageable number of choices. Second, you gain an understanding of what each type of camera can offer; which solidifies your thoughts on what is most important TO YOU.

Tip #1: Is The Discount Digital Camera a Smart Choice or a Big Mistake?

Most consumers skip the critical first step of answering this question: “WHAT IS MY GOAL?”

Instead, most people first fall in love with a digital camera; then become pleased or disappointed with its performance after using it. Instead, ask yourself some basic questions before the purchase:

“How will I most likely use the digital camera… the occasional family snapshot, email, Internet postings, landscapes, macro work, heavy flash use, all of the above?”

“How often will I use the digital camera - twice a year, or once a week?”

“What is most important to me: picture quality, camera size, camera weight, durability, or telephoto/wide angle viewing?”

“What is my budget?”

Based on your responses, a discount digital camera could be your best choice or a complete waste of money.

Tip #2: What Exactly Is An Affordable Digital Camera?

“Affordable” digital cameras have a tendency of making your budget happy, but disappointing the photographer in you.

Don’t overlook the camera’s design. Are the controls simple to understand? Comfortable (not too big or small)? How many buttons or controls need to be SIMULTANEOUSLY set before getting the result you want?

If you’re upgrading from a less expensive digital camera, don’t assume that spending more money or having more camera features will automatically make you happy. Always test out the camera (in your HANDS). An affordable digital camera isn’t affordable if you wind up not using it!

Tip #3: When are Tiny Digital Cameras the Clear Choice?

Despite impressions to the contrary, tiny digital cameras (also referred to as a “compact digital camera” or “point and shoot”) are quite popular. They’re easy to carry, usually loaded with features, and take respectable photographs.

We need to remember that tiny DOESN’T MEAN SECOND RATE. Some advantages of going tiny are: less bulky, easier to transport, less conspicuous (less likely to “walk off”), and they often compare favorably with larger cameras in the feature and price categories.

Two of the possible pitfalls of going tiny include: size of the operating controls and being less likely to support an external flash.

Now that you have an idea of why a smaller digital camera might be right for you, let’s take a look at how to decide which features and functions make sense.

Using surveillance cameras for security around the home allows the homeowner to monitor what’s going on outside the home while remaining safely indoors. There are many different way wireless security cameras can be useful . Lot’s of people use them as an extra feature of their home security system . The technology involved has taken major strides forward and the prices are within an affordable range. Having a DVR recording the activity around your property is an extremely comforting feeling being home and away.

The security camera can be the corner stone of your home security .

Manufactures have responded to consumer demand with a variety of options Cameras can be disguised from sprinkler heads to alarm clock radios. The homeowner has two options for video camera connectivity, either wired or wireless. If the location for your camera is to remote then a wireless security camera is the perfect solution. Security cameras are great to use indoor as well as outdoors.

If you don’t have the money to spend on an expensive camera system than dummy security cameras are a great solution . The fake cameras look exactly like real cameras. Some of the better dummy security cameras feature a rotating base and blinking lights. They so real that criminals cannot tell the difference and they are often enough to make them move on . Fake surveillance cameras are a cost effective of way of deterring criminals from your home, office, or business. Most people cannot afford a substantial amount of surveillance equipment. In some cases, with addition to the upfront cost of security equipment, you’re also faced with maintenance cost.

The majority of burglars usually case a location before they decide to rob it . If they see a security camera outside the perimeter of your store or home, it will help in deterring them from committing a criminal act. Cameras are usually the first they look for .

The Internet revolution has had great progress in video surveillance. The internet has brought us IP cameras, just plug them into your router and you can watch them from anywhere in the world . An IP camera is connected to a network, allowing you to view its video feed from anywhere you are able to connect to the Internet . If cameras give you the ability to watch multiple cameras at multiple places from one location . Recordings are highly compressed for easier storage. Video security can be both a defense and a deterrent. If you have been thinking about setting up a video security system it is important to make sure you understand the different types .

IP camera-based systems are the future of video surveillance. They will cost you more money but will be worth it when you get the take advantage of all the features .As the security camera industry continues to great the IP systems will continue to evolve into more and more versatile options . Innovations always comes from improved technology . And many of the improvement can be taken advantage of by simply upgrading the software where as older set ups will become out of date .

In the past underwater cameras have been of interest only to divers, mostly recreational scuba divers and underwater photographers, and it’s probably safe to say this was due mostly to their high cost, not to mention the fact the equipment was awkward and bulky.

But today that’s all changed. Manufacturers of waterproof cameras have been able to reduce the size as well as the price to where these devices are compact and affordable. This is of course great news for divers, but even more so for those of us tired of always having to “mind” the camera when enjoying some recreational pursuit, or just at the beach on family vacation.

The fact is that we mostly take photos while we’re on holiday or vacation which usually means outdoors, at the beach, on the water, in the mountains, on the trails, or involved in some recreational activity or sport that has some “rough and tumble” aspect to it. It’s these situations where the camera often won’t make it.

Of course we could leave it behind but that sort of misses the point. What’s really called for is a waterproof camera that can take a beating as well. A digital camera that’s rugged and able to shrug off being dropped, banged around, or being left where the kids can get at it would be perfect.

As mentioned before, there are now a handful of rugged, compact, digital underwater cameras that are as affordable as some land-based models. There are also some that pretend to be up to the task but come up short in either the waterproof or shockproof department, so it pays to do some research to compare and get the features you need.

Basically, if you’re like me, you want something as close to indestructible as possible. The camera needs to be waterproof to at least 10 or 12 feet like to the bottom of a swimming pool. That will ensure it’s also impervious to mud, sand, dirt, dust, salt air, rain, splashes, and about anything else one can imagine. It should also survive being dropped like when it falls out of your pocket. It also must be able to survive a drop of several feet, like when slipping out of your hand. Those two features will make it likely to survive most types of abuse, including kids.

Today there are a couple producers leading the way with these dive cameras that go beyond just diving. They are SeaLife, long known for their dive cameras, and the Olympus Stylus SW series. The 6 megapixel SeaLife Mini and ECOshot are compact, waterproof to 130 feet & 75 feet respectively, and are protected within a rugged polycarbonate case, that’s rubber-armored. The Olympus Stylus 770SW, 790SW, 850SW, and 1030SW have an image resolution ranging from 7 to 10 megapixels and are waterproof to either 10 feet or 33 feet.

This depth can be increased to 130 feet with an external housing but as is, the sub-compact Stylus SW models are perfect for snorkeling or any other outdoor activity. The SW stands for shockproof, waterproof, and the Stylus is certainly tough. The most sensitive inner works are suspended within a metal case that can survive 220 pounds of pressure, plus its freeze-proof as well.

Aside from very small size and slightly higher cost, the Olympus models differ in that they offer more features, but have shallower waterproof ratings. However they are plenty waterproof for use as an outdoor sports camera, and if you also want to do any serious diving with it just get an external housing. The SeaLife Mini may appeal more to divers who can kill two birds at once since it’s rated to 130 feet with no additional housing.

Any of these digital underwater cameras mentioned here are excellent choices for an all-purpose sports camera. Options are much the same with variations mostly in image resolution, depth rating, size, and price, so just choose the one that fits you best.

Have you ever wished you had a wireless hidden camera to catch someone doing something on tape? Most of us have. You might have thought of catching your roommate using your shampoo or your kids jumping on their beds. Perhaps you want to put your hidden camera to more high-minded use and watch your babysitter or keep an eye on your teenage daughter and her boyfriend while they’re watching movies.

Chances are, you’ve thought of using a camera both for little, trivial things and for more serious purposes like protecting your kids. Who hasn’t wanted to set up a motion detector in the front yard and catch the neighbor’s dog doing his business in their shrubs? Or put up a hidden camera next to the exit and catch coworkers leaving early while we stay on and finish our work?

The cool thing about these is how much you can do with them. You can get a wireless hidden camera that looks like a DVD player and stick it in the kids’ room to find out if they’re really going to bed, or staying up playing on the computer. Want to spy on the company fridge and see who’s taking your lunch? Set up a plant looking spy cam that won’t be noticed.

For more serious purposes, you can set one up that looks like a mantel clock or an air freshener and keep an eye on the babysitter or your teenagers. Or put an EXIT sign spy cam at the back door of your building to catch your employees leaving early.

Technology has reached the point where, no matter what you want to do with your wireless hidden camera, you can find one for your needs - from disguised cameras for the home and workplace to button cameras, pen cams and other body-worn spy cameras. If you can think of a use, you can find one to fill the need.