Digicams: A shopping checklist
6. Battery
When if comes to power, the ability to use a variety of battery types can be more important than any single type a camera may use. If you're a frequent traveler, it'll work out better for you to find a shooter which uses standard AA-size batteries. This will ensure that you have easily obtainable off-the-shelf power for your camera without having to worry too much about power sockets and voltage. For units with proprietary Lithium-ion batteries, do find a manufacturer that uses the same line of rechargeables on a few of its cameras. This ensures that you'll be able to purchase a replacement in the future. Your best bet is a camera that interchangeably supports rechargeables and long-life disposables.
 Your best bet would be AA-size rechargeables if you are a frequent traveler or proprietary Lithium-ion batteries if you don't want to compromise on the size of your camera.
7. LCD monitor
One of the benefits of going digital is the ability to take pictures without composing through the usually cramped optical viewfinder. Generally, the larger the LCD, the easier it is on your eyes. However, take note that larger LCDs invariably use up more battery power and can be hard to see in bright light. Also, be aware that some large screens aren't as sharp as smaller ones due to the pixel count. For more flexibility in shots, some makes also feature monitors that swivel, twist and turn.
Settle for a 2.5-inch LCD with approximately 200k pixels.
8. Viewfinder
Although many cameras come with optical viewfinders, some enthusiast-oriented models tend to offer EVFs (Electronic Viewfinders) that are used on camcorders, too. Take particular care in the resolution of such viewfinders, especially if macro photography is top on your list. While the 235k-pixel ones may sound like plenty, it's still relatively hard to determine focus. At this point in time, this is one specification where more is never enough.
Viewfinders are practically useless if they are small and have a low resolution, so you don't actually need one.
9. Flash memory type
Before buying a camera, take a look at the type of flash memory it supports. For instance, picking a camera that uses the open-standard CompactFlash or Secure Digital card could save you considerable money over a competing xD-Picture Card or Memory Stick camera. With the memory cards getting smaller in size yet bigger in capacity these days, you may also want to consider whether the media you are purchasing can be used on other gadgets you own as well. It pays to think ahead.
Go for cameras that use the same memory card format as your other devices.
10. Connectivity
Depending on how you want to share your pictures, the connectivity of a camera can be important. Some models let you share your pictures on a TV screen, producing a slideshow for family and friends to see. Most just feature a USB connection for transferring pictures to your PC. For users who take plenty of pictures, you can also consider the slightly faster FireWire ports. Finally, for direct printing, check if the camera's USB connection supports PictBridge connectivity before laying out the dough. We are also witnessing more compact cameras with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. While that may sound attractive especially for users who wish to transfer their pictures sans cables, the technology is still limited to general home use. The ease of uploading images online at a hotspot directly from a camera is a feature which we hope to be available soon.
Make sure your camera comes with a built-in USB and AV-out port as you don't want to carry an extra cradle around to hook your shooter up to your computer.
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