Compact digital camera buying guide

Posted on 14 Dec 2009 at 14:19

 

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Find out all you need to know about choosing the right compact digital camera.

Recommended minimum specifications

Resolution: 8 megapixels

Zoom: 3x optical (35-105mm)

Monitoring: 2in, 100,000-pixel LCD screen

Supplied memory: 10MB internal

Batteries: 2x AA disposable

Follow the steps to find your ideal specs

1. A digital camera with the specifications shown in grey will suit those who want to take pictures to view on their PC and create 7x5in prints. It should cost around £80, but there may be hidden downsides such as slow performance and very basic user controls.
2. Spend more and you'll get a higher resolution. A 10-megapixel sensor has the potential to produce sharp prints up to A3 size, but only if it and the lens are suitably high quality. There are 12-megapixel compact cameras available, but we've yet to see one that's significantly better than 8-megapixel models. Most people don't print enlargements so an 8-megapixel sensor is sufficient.
3. A 3x zoom lens gives reasonable scope for framing your shots, but a larger range can do wonders for your photographic skills. Some compact cameras manage a 6x zoom while a few go as far as 10x. However, big zooms need optical image stabilisation to avoid blur at extreme settings. Alternatively, consider a wide-angle lens, denoted by a 28mm or lower minimum focal length.
4. Big LCD screens are a treat to use, but they don't always offer sharper detail. A 2½in screen is common even in the budget market, but only the best have resolutions of 200,000 pixels or more.
5. Consider hidden costs: budget for a memory card, as the bundled memory is never enough – a 2GB card costs £10. If your chosen camera doesn't have rechargeable batteries, budget £15 to buy a set.
6. Don't forget that specifications tell you little about a camera's image quality; you'll need to read our reviews for that. In a compact camera, we believe that the user shouldn't have to grapple with complicated controls to get great images in all lighting conditions.