| If you're looking for a good compact digital | | | | just want a compact model you can still take |
| camera, and feeling overwhelmed by all the | | | | good quality photos. |
| choices, this article is for you. It is not so difficult | | | | These technologies include things like |
| to choose a good camera with the right kind of | | | | - Optical image stabilization, which compensates |
| information. | | | | for camera shake. |
| Does Brand Matter? | | | | - Intelligent contrast correction and red-eye |
| Yes, brand matters. A company with a reputation | | | | reduction reduce the need for editing. |
| for quality and reliability is more likely to give you | | | | - Scene and face recognition technology help to |
| a satisfactory product, one that meets your | | | | improve exposure and white balance. |
| needs. Finding a decent "no name" product can be | | | | - Face self-timer -- the timer goes off when you |
| a very hit and miss process -- if you "miss," | | | | have moved into the picture and it detects |
| you've wasted your time and possibly your | | | | another face. (This is a newer feature; |
| money. | | | | double-check to make sure it's on the camera |
| This article focuses on Canon cameras -- primarily | | | | that interests you). |
| because I've had very positive experience with | | | | - Optical Zoom -- preserves quality and resolution |
| Canon products, those I own myself and those | | | | when zooming, as opposed to digital zoom. |
| belonging to family members. My own Canon | | | | (Available zoom levels will vary from one model |
| Powershot model is well-made, easy to use, | | | | to another.) |
| produces good quality photos, and I've never had | | | | For ease of use and general setup I have found |
| any trouble with the camera. All that adds up to a | | | | the Canon models to be quite satisfactory; the |
| good reason to stick with what I know. | | | | controls are reasonably intuitive and there is a |
| Lens Quality | | | | decent manual to explain more advanced |
| For any camera, lens quality is the first factor in | | | | features. Do use the manual for any camera you |
| determining picture quality. Before purchasing my | | | | buy; if you don't you could miss out on half the |
| own Canon I read some very extensive technical | | | | features! |
| reviews, and narrowed down my choice to two | | | | Choosing a Specific Model |
| possible brands. Then I looked at the large variety | | | | Having chosen a brand (whether that's Canon or |
| of standardized test shots as part of that review, | | | | you already have a favorite brand), you can |
| and the quality of the Canon shots impressed me, | | | | narrow down on a specific compact model. Do |
| confirming my experience with a previous Canon | | | | you want a totally automatic point and shoot |
| digital camera. | | | | camera? Or would you like the option for some |
| In my experience, Canon lenses produce the crisp | | | | manual settings, too? Do you want to keep it |
| color and well-defined detail that turns a good | | | | basic, or are you willing to pay for extra "bells and |
| photo into a "wow!" photo. Comparing photos | | | | whistles"? Decide on the maximum you're willing |
| from my Canon, and a camera of a different | | | | to pay and then look at the models that fit within |
| brand, there was no contest -- in color | | | | your range. |
| reproduction, focus, detail and overall impression | | | | Here's a small tip. Most camera companies bring |
| the shots from the Canon were far superior. | | | | out new models frequently, with minimal changes |
| Features | | | | between the new model and the previous version. |
| Canon cameras are all equipped with a basic set | | | | With lots of cameras on the market from the |
| of technologies, from the smallest point-and-shoot | | | | previous release the price may drop slightly, to |
| model to the more advanced SLR-types. You can | | | | your benefit if you don't need the "very latest" |
| expect to find a nice range of features on every | | | | model. |
| Canon camera without spending a fortune; if you | | | | |