Although American collective mentality tends to think of “bigger is better,” the opposite couldn’t be truer in terms of the average compact digital camera. While it’s true that it’s easier for camera manufacturers to put in more features in a larger package, the digital circuitry revolution is making advances literally everyday in terms of ‘going smaller.’
This is not to say that smaller is better, either. Yet it is more convenient to go rollerblading or even on nature hikes with a thin sliver of hardware that weighs but a meager couple of ounces –a compact digital camera, rather than a 3 pound box that just doesn’t seem to fit into any pocket quite right without painfully pushing against your skin and internal organs as it threatens to stop your blood circulation.
It is true, as stated before, that the average compact digital camera gives up certain valued aspects, like being able to take a photo comfortably and accurately with but one hand and full-sized controls. Yet, there are features that you should quite simply depend on in any model. Anything less is not worth your money.
One such feature is starting time. If you have any of the older models of cameras, no matter what size it is, you’ll understand this statement perfectly. Some cameras take 2, 3, up to 5 full seconds to activate its flash and other internal systems while also deploying its lens. This is extremely frustrating in nearly any situation –whether it is time for a family photo, an action scene, or that once in a million shot, which, unfortunately, got away two seconds ago whilst your camera was still preparing itself.
With the mention of action, one should consider a compact digital camera that is not only fast out of the starting gate, but that can capture a rapid action shot. This is dependant on a zoom lens that can adjust itself accordingly. As well, speed settings should be a normal feature on every compact digital camera –or full-sized, for that matter. If these features are not present in a potential camera, it won’t do well in poor lighting, either; discard all thoughts of purchasing it: it’s not worth it.
Another consideration, which may drain your wallet long after you’ve purchased a compact digital camera, is the staying power of batteries. While a full discourse could be laid out as to which batteries are optimal for electronic cameras, that theme is best left for another article, and writer. Yet all photo-taking devices are not alike, and some will drain your batteries much faster than others, so if you have the leisure to borrow a friend’s digital, do so, that you may have a better idea of how long a camera can photograph for before having to hit the proverbial showers.
The last major feature to consider is photo quality, the great no-brainer. Quite simply, some photographs will come out grainy, dark, with an over-exposed (bleached) look, or just frankly wrong. Fortunately, you can determine this when shopping for the compact digital camera that’s right for you.
