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Buying Cameras - A 5-Step Guide You Must Read Before You Buy a Camera

I have seen it happen many times; either people don't carefully think before they act or are swayed by emotion. It has happened to my friends, close relatives and even acquaintances. I'm talking about buying cameras. People often buy what is inappropriate for their individual circumstances. Don't worry, here is a 7-step guide to help you get the right gadget for the right job.

Step 1: Determine what exactly you need. This sounds obvious but many people skip this important step. What do you need the camera for at this time? What type of photography will you mostly be doing? What whether conditions will be predominate in your photography? Do you have any experience with cameras? What's your budget? What features are important to you? How about portability? Does size matter to you? Starting off with these right questions will lead to the right answers and a big step forward.

Step 2: The Megapixels. Cameras capture images as pixel elements, a megapixel is equal to one million pixels. The more pixels, the higher the image resolution and this affects print size and the amount of detail an image has when viewed on a computer monitor at 100%. Determine if you will be printing photos or not. If so, then how large? If you will be printing photos at normal size, then anything around 4 megapixels is adequate. Having images that are large means your memory space will fill up with fewer photos.

Step 3: The extras. You need to ask what the quoted price includes. For instance does it include camera case, memory cards, spare batteries; lenses, filters external flashes, tripods or reflectors. Some retailers sell cameras with some extras while others don't. And even then you need to look closer at the extras offered. If you are being offered a 32 megabyte memory, it may not be of much help these days. Not many photos can be stored on this kind of memory.

Step 4: Read reviews. Don't just rely on the advice of sales people when out shopping for your right device. Go online and do in-depth research about the types of cameras that are within you range of needs. Check classifieds. Get other articles like the one you are reading right now and get to really understand what it all entails. Get to understand what DSLR or optical zoom is. Try and know if accessories with your other cameras are compatible with the one you intend to purchase. There is some such you can learn that can save you hundreds of dollars.

Step 5: Compare store prices. Once you have narrowed down on the handful of cameras that will satisfy your needs, get into two or three reputable stores. Have them demonstrate what is on offer. Settled down on one and negotiate. Ask for warranties, extras accessories, bonuses and extra information that will make your photography fun. And lastly once you get home with you new spectacular camera, don't forget to include it in your home insurance coverage.