How To Choose the right Digital Camera for you

Deciding on buying a camera can be a tedious task these days because not only do we have plenty of options available in the market for every category, but also we often got confused on whether to go for a compact, superzoom, DSLR or the new mirrorless cameras. Through this article, we try to define each category in a simple way so that it helps you clear your thoughts about the type of cameras in the market and what they are best at.

Simple point and shoot

These are budget cameras that are very simple to operate and capable of taking pictures without any extra skills. You just have to point at and shoot the object. Most budget compacts offer lenses with a 3x

optical zoom, and anything more than that is an added

advantage.

Popular cameras: Canon PowerShot A4000 IS,

Panasonic Lumix DMC FH6, etc.

Best for: First time users, children.

Slim and stylish compact

These cameras are stylish and trendy with features like HD video recording and a few of them also offer wide angle lenses. They mostly works on rechargeable lithiumion batteries. Also in this category you get models whch provide longer zoom lenses and larger LCD screens, and

even offer touch-screen functionality. So these cameras are good for all purpose photography.

Popular cameras: Sony Cybershots, Nikon Coolpix.

Best for: Style concious, party goers.

Professional compacts

These are compact cameras which aim to bring a high standard of image quality in a small camera. If you want good professional performance and features, without the hassles that come with big DSLRs then these cameras are for you. They slip easily in your pocket but can take professional quality shots, with upto 24.3 megapixel sensors. In proper light conditions and settings these cameras can give you DSLR like results.Even when light levels drop, the noise control offered by these cameras is generally good. Some models also offer hot shoes for external accessories, such as viewfinder and flashguns, while a couple of those with longer lenses also manage to squeeze in GPS recordings should you be travelling around.

Popular cameras: Sony Rx100, Fujifilm X10, etc.

Best for: Creative photography on the fly, low-light situations.

Superzoom bridge cameras

These superzoom bridge cameras combine the flexibility of a wide focal range with a small format body. Many offer manual control over exposure (with an aperture or shutter priority option), while others allow you to

manually focus too, meaning the photographer can take most controls into their hands. A superzoom is a high end point and shoot designed specifically to give a photographer a whole lot of magnification without having to spend more on a DSLR. Travelers all around the world prefer to carry a super zoom with them because those insanely long lenses are very difficult to carry around. But what goes against the superzoom cameras is that optical quality drops pretty significantly at full zoom. However, to even get close to the same variety of focal lengths from a Mirrorless or SLR camera you would require to carry atleast three lenses, and simply forget the cost involved.

Popular cameras: Panasonic FZ150,

Canon SX50, etc

Best for: Travelling, outdoor activities

Mirrorless (interchangeable lense) cameras

Mirrorless cameras are a blend of a compact camera with a digital SLR. Or you can say it is like a digital SLR, only without the mirrors that you find in a DSLR. So for that reson it's much smaller and lighter than a normal DSLR and shares many features with a DSLR but the controls and operation are more like that of a compact camera. In the mirrorless camera you get a large sensor that helps improve the image quality of these cameras.

Popular cameras: Olympus OM-D E-M5, Fujifilm XPro1, etc.

Best for: Good alternative for professional compact

cameras, street and travel photography.

DSLR cameras

These cameras offer the best image quality and more options than others. Mainly there are two variants in the DLSR catgory, one is full frame and the other is a crop sensor DSLR. The main difference between the two

is sensor size. A "full frame" sensor is roughly 24mm x 36mm, whereas a crop sensor is around 16x24mm. Most of the high end professional  cameras are full frame, and so are larger in size. Also, full frame sensors have better image quality across the board, but they really shine with

a high ISO performance.

Popular cameras: Nikon D600, Canon 6D, Sony A99

(Full frame), NikonD5200, Canon 600D.

Best for: Images that require the best quality, action photography, those looking to experiment with video recording.