I was recently browsing a major electronics retailer and, for fun, decided to quiz the digital camera salesperson about one of the models on display. I have a mischievous streak and like to pretend that I know nothing about digital cameras to see how much misinformation I can attract. The salesperson on this occasion was a very nice gentleman who intended well, but was fantastically uninformed about the products he was selling.

When he resorted to reading the store’s display and reciting the camera’s features to me, which I easily could have read for myself, I knew that I wasn’t going to get the insight I was after. Asked what other models might compare to the 5-megapixel camera I was looking at, he “informed” me that they’re all pretty much the same.

And, indeed, he was right! They’re all pretty much the same, if by “the same” you mean that they’re all cameras and come in an attractive cardboard box. Unfortunately, this is how many retailers look at cameras, as if they’re merely packaged goods with no real difference between them—just like bars of soap.

Traditional camera retailers will typically do a much better job of understanding the equipment than a big electronics chain, but you’ll still want to understand the basics to make the best purchase for your money. Even the best camera stores may have an incentive to sell you one product over another, which puts the sale in their best interest and not necessarily in yours. Knowing what you want before you head to the store, at least in terms of technology and features, will make your buying experience far more successful, with fewer regrets down the road.

Size
How big (or small) should your camera be? Here’s an easy one to figure out on your own, but no less deserving of serious consideration. If you’re buying a camera primarily for vacation or special occasion photography, a small camera that you can drop in your pocket is ideal.
There are a number of very tiny cameras available that can be easily stowed in a pocket, yet still offer a decent set of controls and adequate resolution for most purposes. Bear in mind that you’ll pay a premium for the ultra-compact models, and that there will be some sacrifice in terms of zoom range.

Even those digital cameras that aren’t considered ultra-compact are still relatively small. Most digital cameras today will fit nicely in a fanny pack or a coat pocket. If you don’t need the smallest possible camera, you’ll have the most options in terms of features, lenses and resolution.
On the big end of the spectrum are digital SLRs—both those with fixed lenses and those that allow the use of an interchangeable-lens system. While bulky and not best suited for casual photography, these cameras deliver top resolution and high-performance features. They also tend to have bigger control interfaces, so if you have large hands and find yourself fumbling with the controls of small cameras, one of these models might be better for you.