Digital Camera Categories and their Uses

Digital Cameras come in many different categories and have many different uses. They are usually separated based on their resolution, their lens type, controls and the many add-on accessories that are available for them.

I have provided a summary of the various categories available to you:

Web Cams

These are inexpensive TV cameras that can produce low-resolution image that you can send over the internet. Many are able to capture low-resolution still images as well. They usually have no storage, controls or zoom lenses. Their only use, as I see it, is for using while chatting with your friends over the internet.

Point-and-Shoot

This is the first real Digital camera Category that actually resembles a regular camera. They can do anything that a simple film camera can do. Most will have a built in flash, some form of removable storage and a fixed focal length lens. They will also have simple automatic exposure but no manual controls.

Intermediate Digital Cameras

These are the most widely used type of camera as they suit most consumer needs. They will have a 2 - 4 megapixel resolution and a 3:1 zoom lens, close-up focusing and possibly some manual controls.

Medium Range Digital Cameras

This category is for the photographer who wants some special added features like; extra resolution, longer zoom lens and possibly some wide-angle and telephoto attachments, external flash and possibly some filters. These digital cameras have few limitations and satisfy most photographers needs.

Semi-Professional Digital Cameras

This is the category that the serious photo buff uses and is used by many professional photographers as a backup camera. They will feature an electronic or optical, through-the-lens viewfinder and can take most interchangeable lenses. Their only drawback is that they weigh much more than the other cameras mentioned above. They have many automatic as well as manual adjustment that the dedicated photo buff likes to work with. They are capable of taking about 2 -3 pictures per second.

Professional Digital Cameras

These cameras will do anything that can be possibly be done with a camera. They will have over 10 megapixels of resolution, interchangeable lenses, autofocus, and very high speed, being able to take at least 5 pictures per second. They have very large storage options, usually at least a 1Gigabyte mini hard disk drive.

For those who are just starting out, I would usually suggest that you start with a simple Point-and-Shoot digital camera and gradually graduate to a a more expensive camera with more features as you get to know how each camera works and become a more experienced photo buff. Remember the first digital camera you buy probably is unlikely to be your last as most consumers upgrade every two or three years. So go buy that digital camera and get snapping.