Selecting the right digital camera is one of the most crucial steps on your way to successful digital photography. There are important things to remember as you shop for your first digital camera. We'll provide a step-by-step guide to selecting your digital camera.

Step One - Figuring out how you plan to use your camera.

If you plan on just using your camera for the occasional family photo, or just for fun, then you won't need to purchase the top of the line model. However, if you need to use your camera for work or for images that require high resolution and quality, you will need to go with the higher end model.

Do you plan to use your camera strictly for digital photo sharing? Or would you rather use it as a traditional camera and get the prints of your photos?

These are important things to figure out before you purchase your camera.

Step Two- How Big Should Your Camera Be?

This can make a difference in how you plan to use your camera. If you need it for outdoor use, you may want to go with a smaller camera that is easily transported. You will need to figure how and where you plan to use your camera in order to decide which size is right for you.

Many digital cameras are no bigger than a business card, while others are quite large. Try to think of how you plan to transport your camera and how much you are willing to lug around while you select the size of the camera.

Step Three - Understanding Megapixels

It can be very confusing when you are first shopping for your camera. All sorts of jargon, from megapixels to megabytes will be thrown your way. If you educate yourself now, you will be prepared to get the camera that is exactly right for you.

The word megapixel means "millions of pixels." A pixel is a small box that creates the image as a whole. For example, let's say you have a picture of a swan.

This digital picture is formed from millions of tiny dots, that when put together, show our human eye the complete picture. The more pixels you have in a picture, the higher the quality will be.

Most cameras on the market today range anywhere from two to six megapixels. That doesn't mean that a camera with the capability of only two megapixels per image is going to be of low quality. This simply means that it is more suited for someone who doesn't need photojournalist quality prints.

If you need a camera that will produce high quality 4 x 6 prints, then a two megapixel camera will work just fine. You can go up to as high as an 8 x 10 print with a two megapixel camera and still get great results.

A three megapixel camera will produce stunning 8 x 10's, while a four to six megapixel camera can produce images from 11 x 14 and larger with spectacular results.

Step Four - Deciding What Kind of Options You'll Need

Each camera on the market will have a variety of available features. Here's where the fun begins! You'll be able to choose from:

Manual Controls - If you prefer to have more control over your photos, rather than a simple point and shoot camera, you can select a camera that has manual focusing, flash and speed controls. Many cameras have these features automatically built-in, but if you plan to really control your shoots, this feature will come in handy.

Panoramic Stitching - This feature will allow you to take a series of shots and literally stitch them together to make one large image. This can be a lot of fun on vacations or when you need to take a picture of a landmark, like Mount Rushmore. Instead of fiddling with your zoom controls, you can take several pictures and put them together.

Movie Capability - Many cameras allow you to take a series of photos and turn them into a mini-movie. This can be useful at birthday parties and sporting events. Instead of just catching one moment, you will be able to capture the entire scene.

Macro Pictures - This feature will come in handy if you plan to take close-up shots of wildlife, flowers, insects or other things that require a great deal of detail.

Audio Capabilities - This feature will allow you to make an actual commentary on the picture you're taking.

Step Five - The Extras

Batteries

Digital cameras definitely need batteries. It is always helpful to select a camera that has an easy to find battery size and then to make sure you have plenty on hand. Just like a regular camera, it won't work if you don't have fresh batteries.

Memory Cards

Memory cards are where your pictures will be stored. Most cameras come with one memory card, which may allow you to store approximately 16-25 images before running out of room. The great thing about a memory card is that once you've downloaded the images, you can erase the card and start all over again. You'll never need to keep buying them!

Many people prefer to keep a couple memory cards on hand, just in case they plan to take more than the alloted amount of pictures. You'll need to go back to your plan for using your camera to see how many memory cards you will need.

Software

You will need to see if your camera comes with software to make sure that your camera and your computer will be able to work together while you upload your photos. You will need to have this software to upload them to your computer. There are several different types of software on the market, and you can select the one that is right for you and your computer.

Cables

Does your camera come with the necessary cables for you to hook it up to your computers. Most cameras on the market now will have USB or serial connections. If your computer has a USB port, then you will need to make sure that there is a USB connector with your camera. If your computer does not have a USB port, you will need to use a serial connector cable instead. Make sure that you have this figured out beforehand so that you don't have the frustrating experience of not being able to upload your new photographs.

A USB cable looks like this:



A Serial Cable looks like this:



Step Siz - Figuring Out Your Budget

Now that you've decided on exactly what kind of camera you are going to need, you will need to figure out how much you are willing to spend. Most digital cameras start from under $200 and go all the way up into the thousands of dollars. By deciding ahead of time, you will save yourself unnecessary expense by buying too much camera or by having to purchase a second camera if you didn't get the one best suited to your needs.

Step Seven - Purchasing a Camera

The best way to shop for a camera is to compare prices. The market is extremely competitive right now and you can find a really terrific camera for a lot less than you think. It is a good idea to use online price comparison tools before shopping, and to take a look at your local stores before making your purchase.