The good news is that there are plenty of great digital cameras to choose from these days. The bad news is that there is an ever increasing array of types and models as well and it can all get very confusing very fast. So lets discuss some of the features that you can expect to look for as you shop.

Size is an important consideration to many when it comes to digital cameras, and even the subcompact category of cameras still packs a lot of punch for it's size. You can expect to see resolution in many subcompacts on up to 7 megapixels, which should be more than enough to let you print sharp and clear photos on up to 11 X 14 in size. The only thing that you should be careful of with cameras that small is that the controls and knobs can almost be too small sometimes and be difficult to operate easily for some. That's why it's a good idea to physically try out a subcompact before actually purchasing it to make sure that it will be easy and simple to use in spite of it's small dimensions.

Another important consideration when you buy a digital camera is it's speed, both when it firsts starts up and when you press the shutter. Film cameras come on instantly and are ready to fire, but digital cameras have to take some time to power up and get ready. In some models it can even take several seconds to take your first picture, which means that you could easily lose some photo opportunities due to your camera not being able to power up on time. So check the startup time for each camera that you look at, and select those that have the quickest power up cycle.

The other speed issue that can come into play is the time lag between the moment when you press the shutter and the actual moment when the picture is taken. In some digital cameras the shutter lag can take almost a full second, which is all dead time that prevents you from taking other photos. In some fast action sequences you could be missing some very important shots, so try to get a camera that reduces the shutter lag under half a second if possible.

If you like to have more exposure control than a fully automatic camera offers you can find some limited manual features on the subcompact and compact digital cameras, but in general the more manual controls you want, the larger camera you will need to buy. In fact, there are several advanced digital cameras that offer manual controls that rival those found in a digital single lens reflex camera, but in order to get those extra features you will need to spend more money and the weight and size will also go up at the same time.

As with many consumer electronics products, there are tradeoffs to make when you select models from different camera classes, but hopefully the tips given above can help you choose and buy a digital camera that will fit you best.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including digital photography. You can find top selling digital cameras and cannon digital cameras by visiting our Digital Photography website.