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Digital Camera Buying Guide
A comprehensive guide that will give you all the information you need on how to buy a Digital Camera.
Beginners Guide To Choosing A Camera
Getting Started
Looking for instant, high-quality photos you can easily share with friends and family? A digital camera, paired with image manipulation software, an inexpensive color printer, and a personal Web site can deliver astonishingly good results and hugely boost your love for photography.
Digital cameras make photography easy and fun. They are as simple to use as traditional point-and-shoots, but have added features such as exposure adjustment, special effects, video recording capabilities, and clear, bright LCD screens that let you preview your picture before you take it and let you see it at your disposal.
Camera Buying Guide: Which Style Is Right For You
Features
With a digital camera you can take unlimited pictures and not worry about running out of film--just download your photos to a computer, and your camera's memory is free again. Improvements in digital storage allow you to take up to 1000 pictures on certain memory cards. In addition, you never have to pay for film processing, and you get your photos immediately, instead of having to wait for the prints to be developed. You can e-mail photos to friends, print them out on photo paper or stickers, or post them on the Web, all without hassling with photo labs or scanners.
When shopping for a digital camera, start by identifying your needs. Do you want to take pictures of friends, family and landscapes? Will you be using the camera for professional graphics work? Are you going to be editing your pictures? Do you ever plan on printing your photos? Knowing what kind of photos you'll be taking most often will help you decide what resolution, storage type, power source, and other amenities you'll need.
Lenses
Check out our Camera Lens Buying Guide Video, to find out exactly what to look for when purchasing a camera lens.
Camera Lenses: What To Look For
Hoping to learn more from the experts? Abt's in-house specialists host different camera classes both in our store's Inspiration Studio and online on Abt's YouTube. Here, we dive deep into topics to help beginners better understand their new cameras, or assist intermediate photographers to help them make the most of what they already love. To see the classes we're currently hosting (or find the stream for our online class) check out our Events page.
Q&A Summary
Still looking to get more information on digital cameras? Below, we've provided the most popular questions about these devices and their answers so you can invest now and start capturing the world around you.
What is a digital SLR camera?
A digital SLR camera, or DSLR, refers to a digital single-lex reflex camera. This means the camera uses a fixed digital sensor. These devices have the power to auto-focus on the subject of every photo and they use internal memory cards to hold thousands of images for you. These cameras are easy to pair with a wide selection of attachments and lenses, which makes them popular among photographers of all kinds.
How much is a digital camera?
How much your digital camera costs is dependent on what type of digital camera it is, whether or not it comes with a lens, the resolution quality, special features and the brand. Currently, the models at Abt range anywhere from $99-$9195, but there are various digital cameras on the market priced as low as $50 and as high as $33,000.
What is the best digital camera for a beginner?
As stated above, there are various types of digital cameras. DSLRs are one type, and they are typically thought to be a more serious photography investment. Another type is mirrorless and these cameras are likely the best option to get a beginning photographer. Mirrorless digital cameras are more compact in size and their controls are simpler to operate.
Is it still worth buying a digital camera?
In general, digital cameras are still worth purchasing as they offer stunning resolution and immense flexibility when it comes to accessories, truly expanding your image possibilities. While smartphone cameras have advanced and heightened in quality immensely over the years, digital camera results are still a step above. That being said, if you're a casual photographer who snaps a lot of pictures mostly for memory's sake, you may not need all the gadgets and gizmos a digital camera has to offer. If you are seeking out photography as a real creative endeavor, though, one of these cameras is well worth the money.
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