Digicam Buying Guide: Size Matters

The physical design of a digital camera, especially its size, plays a big role in how comfortable it is to use and should be one of the first things you research.

The smallest cameras , like the Sony Cybershot DSC-T9, are called ultracompacts. They fit in your shirt-pocket and are great for taking everywhere on vacation. They do take good photos but usually have a shorter battery life than larger models and come with fewer shooting options.

Your typical consumer digicam like the Canon Powershot A-95 are a bit bigger. In return you will usually get more controls, a better flash and better pictures than ultracompacts.

Digital SLRs and SLR-like prosumer models are the bulkiest of all and the most expensive. They take fantastic pictures and have numerous options including the ability to change lenses for SLRs.

Apart from size you should also check how the buttons are arranged, the size of the LCD screen and the overall look and feel of the camera. The best design ultimately depends on your preferences.

Next: Understanding Megapixels

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