How to Buy a Point and Shoot Digital Camera: Is a Point and Shoot Right For Me?
This is the first installment in the series, “How to Buy a Point and Shoot Digital Camera.”
So, you want a digital camera, but there are so many options out there. Do you get a compact point and shoot or a big ol’ DSLR? This series is all about point and shoots, but the first decision to make is if a P&S is right for you. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- What will I be using the camera for?
If your main subject is friends and family, and you want a camera to carry with you to different parties, etc., a point and shoot should be perfect for you—you won’t need to lug around a giant DSLR, and you can toss most P&S cameras in a pocket or purse. If, however, you’re aiming to have a good deal of control over your photo, with the ability to change white balance, aperture, shutter speed, etc., you might want to look at more advanced cameras. - Will I want to play around settings, or will I use the camera strictly in Automatic mode?
If you’re looking to constantly be changing settings when taking photos, a point and shoot camera may not be right for you. A DSLR will offer better flexibility creatively, but you are giving up the compact size of a point and shoot. If you really could care less about manually tweaking your photos, and you just want good shots from the start, a point and shoot will most likely be perfect for you. - How much am I willing to pay?
Generally speaking, P&S cameras are cheaper than DSLRs. If budget is a concern, it would be much more worth your while to spend a smaller amount on P&S than splurging on a DSLR. You can generally get a decent P&S for $200-300, whereas an entry-level DSLR can cost $500-600 plus the cost of additional lenses. - How much do I care about image quality?
If you absolutely want top image quality, you are going to want to go with a DSLR with a top-quality lens. DSLR generally perform better in low-light conditions and they usually have more megapixels, resulting in the possibility of larger prints. This point is a bit moot, however, as P&S cameras are becoming better and better. For everyday snapshots, 99% of the time a good P&S camera will give you good enough quality for a great 4×6 or even 8×10 print - Do I want to have to read the manual?
P&S cameras, for the most part, are easy to use. DSLRs, for the most part, are not. If you want to be able to take the camera out of the box and start taking photos, and you have never used an advanced camera before, go with a point and shoot. Instead of spending your days wading through the manual, you can spend them taking photos, which is why you bought the camera in the first place, right?
In the end, you really need to look at your uses for the camera and ask yourself if you really need the extra features of a DSLR. Most of the time, a point and shoot camera is the best choice, as it is portable, easy-to-use, and, provided you buy a good one, great quality. If you really want creative control, however, you’ll want to look at a DSLR.
Make sure to read the next installment in the series, entitled “How to Buy a Point and Shoot Digital Camera: What should I look for when buying?”