Published on June 2, 2005

Digital cameras vary in size, price and features. The best way to get the model that’s right for you is to consider what you will use it for. If you are mainly taking photos of rooms and houses, you don’t necessarily need the most feature-laden model; on the other hand, the cheapest models may lack necessary items like flash or zoom that make it easier to make quality marketing materials. Keep these tips in mind:

Higher resolution cameras are not always better; higher resolution models make photos that have very large file sizes. Oftentimes, these larger files are useless to everyday users who cannot email them or post them onto a web site. In addition, higher resolution images may not make any difference if you have an “average” resolution color printer.
Look for cameras that can “switch” from high resolution to low resolution using a menu in the camera; you don’t want to waste time using photo editing software later, just to reduce the photo size so it can be emailed or posted onto a web site.
Look for cameras that take photos in the JPG format. This is the most useful – print, email, web site, presentation – format and does not require any conversion by the user or the recipient (who may get it in an email attachment).
Consider that many features like zoom and flash do not need to be “extravagant.” If you mostly take pictures of houses and inside rooms, then basic performance may be more than enough for most marketing needs.

Note: All specifications and recommendations provided for educational purposes only. Your specific needs may be different than the suggested models. The TECH HOTLINE does not receive compensation or consideration for its recommendations or suggested vendors. All information provided “as is” without warranty or guarantee of suitability for your particular purposes.

Digital Camera Specifications

Higher resolution cameras are not always better; higher resolution models make photos that have very large file sizes. Oftentimes, these larger files are useless to everyday users who cannot email them or post them onto a web site. In addition, higher resolution images may not make any difference if you have an “average” resolution color printer.
Look for cameras that can “switch” from high resolution to low resolution using a menu in the camera; you don’t want to waste time using photo editing software later, just to reduce the photo size so it can be emailed or posted onto a web site.
Look for cameras that take photos in the JPG format. This is the most useful – print, email, web site, presentation – format and does not require any conversion by the user or the recipient (who may get it in an email attachment).
Consider that many features like zoom and flash do not need to be “extravagant.” If you mostly take pictures of houses and inside rooms, then basic performance may be more than enough for most marketing needs.

4.0+ Megapixel Cameras
Choose these models if you need to do lots of printing, especially in larger scale formats; file sizes may be too large for most web/email work.

Print this page and use the following table to compare the standard camera features and "what to look for" specifications with the "what you've found" specifications while shopping for your new camera.

FEATURE	"What to Look For" SPECIFICATIONS	FEATURE	"What You've Found" SPECIFICATIONS
Resolution	4.0 Megapixel or greater	Resolution
Viewfinder	2.5 inch LCD Display	Viewfinder
Memory	1 GB Memory (SD Media)	Memory
Image Type	JPEG	Image Type
Resolution Modes	Email Mode (low res) VGA Mode (medium) SVGA (megapixel)	Resolution Modes
Flash	Auto/manual/red-eye reduction	Flash
Zoom	3 x Optical Up to 10 x Digital *Avoid "add-on" lenses	Zoom
Battery	Rechargable Lithium *Avoid disposable batteries	Battery
Video Mode	AVI or MPG -Email video mode -Video should include audio	Video Mode
Audio Mode	microphone built in	Audio Mode
Connectivity	USB *Avoid "docking station" models for maximum portability	Connectivity

Matthew's Opinion:
Watch out for these large megapixel models - they can be overkill if their file sizes are too large for flexible use (print and web/email). Make sure they have on-camera file size modes - so you can switch resolutions without using extra software later. Only shoot in JPG mode and don't sweat the zoom - you can always walk closer or farther away from the house!