The digital camera that is best for you depends on what you want to do with the images.
If you only want to make small-sized prints or send images via emails, then a basic model is best.
Basic digital cameras For many purposes, a basic digital camera - one producing image definition of 640 x 480 pixels or 1,024 x 768 pixels - is not only adequate, it is preferable to those of higher resolution.
Image quality is more than adequate for use with an email, or for pictures printed small in newsletters or brochures.
Most models are viewfinder-types and designs vary from small modules, which fit onto a hand-held organizer, to those that look and operate just like autofocus, film-based compacts.
Spend more and you can have a 2-megapixel camera offering a zoom lens and better quality all round.
Bear in mind, however, that many basic digital models are Windows-only.
Basic model Check that even a basic camera accepts removable memory cards - otherwise you will have to return to base in order to off-load images once the internal memory is full.
A 50x enlargement from a 2 MB image (produced by a 0.
7-megapixel camera) shows poor detail and colour, but it would still give images perfectly acceptable for postcard-sized prints.
Basic models may not be able to capture images in quick succession.
A simple lens helps to keep costs as low as possible.
Kodak PalmPix This compact unit, which links onto the HotSync terminals of a Palm device, offers VGA image quality (640 x 480 pixels resolution) at economical cost to Palm owners.
Goodmans GDC 3116 This camera is compact and neat with a basic range of features, yet can be had for a very low price.
It delivers a 3-megapixel image but lacks fine quality.
Nevertheless, it is worth considering as your first digital camera.
Kodak DC3400 A neat, capable camera that is very easy to use and good value, offering 1,280 x 960 pixels resolution.
This model also features a 3x zoom and very good build quality for its price.
Users, however, may find it bulkier than others in its class.
If you only want to make small-sized prints or send images via emails, then a basic model is best.
Basic digital cameras For many purposes, a basic digital camera - one producing image definition of 640 x 480 pixels or 1,024 x 768 pixels - is not only adequate, it is preferable to those of higher resolution.
Image quality is more than adequate for use with an email, or for pictures printed small in newsletters or brochures.
Most models are viewfinder-types and designs vary from small modules, which fit onto a hand-held organizer, to those that look and operate just like autofocus, film-based compacts.
Spend more and you can have a 2-megapixel camera offering a zoom lens and better quality all round.
Bear in mind, however, that many basic digital models are Windows-only.
Basic model Check that even a basic camera accepts removable memory cards - otherwise you will have to return to base in order to off-load images once the internal memory is full.
A 50x enlargement from a 2 MB image (produced by a 0.
7-megapixel camera) shows poor detail and colour, but it would still give images perfectly acceptable for postcard-sized prints.
Basic models may not be able to capture images in quick succession.
A simple lens helps to keep costs as low as possible.
Kodak PalmPix This compact unit, which links onto the HotSync terminals of a Palm device, offers VGA image quality (640 x 480 pixels resolution) at economical cost to Palm owners.
Goodmans GDC 3116 This camera is compact and neat with a basic range of features, yet can be had for a very low price.
It delivers a 3-megapixel image but lacks fine quality.
Nevertheless, it is worth considering as your first digital camera.
Kodak DC3400 A neat, capable camera that is very easy to use and good value, offering 1,280 x 960 pixels resolution.
This model also features a 3x zoom and very good build quality for its price.
Users, however, may find it bulkier than others in its class.