How to buy the best point and shoot camera

Recently, I found myself tossed into the camera market after observing my three-year-old point and shoot fail in comparison to the majority of other models. The fact that my cell phone produced images of higher quality than my camera displayed exactly how dire the situation had become. It was time to head off to the store and take the plunge.

Little did I know that I’d spend my time sinking instead of plunging. My homework arrived visibly incomplete. From megazoom to basic and advanced, the options presented themselves, to my increasingly anxious eye, as visibly endless. Each camera prided itself on barely noticeable differences with the true diversity lying at the heart of the specifications list. These tiny details seemed observable only to specialists – a title miles away from my amateur self.

Overwhelmed, and growing increasingly aware of my inexperience rebounding off every lens, I left the store in search of a point and shoot tour guide. The Internet provided more resources and reviews then I was capable of filtering in a single sitting. Days of research and comparison left me feeling like a seasoned photographer ready to purchase her image weapon of choice.

I quickly learned that no single king of the compact camera realm existed. Many may like to point to a select few, but in reality the job that you need the camera to accomplish defines which assumes royalty standing. While each person may weigh the specs differently, the lingo and categories remain the same. Accomplish the first step in the process by fitting yourself into one of the below categories that focuses in on the range of cameras and specifications that matter most for your personalized search.

Types of point and shoot digital cameras

Basic: For a first time camera buyer, or someone looking to use a point and shoot in a quick pinch to capture the moment without great effort, this category contains exactly the camera you desire. With easy to use auto controls, a small size for pocket storage, and an inexpensive price tag, these cameras produce images that won’t disappoint an average user without photography experience or a DSLR background.

Megazoom: Megazooms focus on the one major feature – the optical zoom. These cameras generally grant users more control in terms of manual usage, but the trade off comes in the size that while smaller than a DSLR, certainly won’t fit in the average pocket. Travelers and sports fanatics may lean towards this variety of point and shoot.

Advanced Point and Shoot: Users seasoned in the world of photography, generally those who own or have used a DSLR, thrive on specifications and higher image quality above what a beginner would notice. These cameras may not reach the zoom achieved by those in the megazoom domain, but the image quality generally provides more than enough positive to outweigh this negative. The manual controls and increased features place these cameras in the advanced category.

Ruggedized: Waterproof, dust proof, drop proof, and more, these cameras sit in the hands of the outdoorsy adventure photographers. These cameras come equip to battle the elements with the best of them. The features generally come with a boxier, more rugged look and less features, but for those without time to spend obsessively protecting their investment, rugged cameras may be the way to go.

The moral of the story remains that no single “best” camera exists. Depending on your intended usage and prioritized list of specifications, the camera perfect for you may not even lie on the consideration list of another. Spend time researching, reading reviews, and testing cameras at the store in order to maximize your chances of making the best decision for your individualized photography needs.

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