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They say that the difference between an average photographer and a great one is a few thousand miles of film. Even today, when digital cameras no longer use film, the idea behind this maxim still holds true.

Digital cameras have improved immensely since they first entered the marketplace over a decade ago. The average memory capacity is higher, which means that many more pictures can be taken at print-quality resolutions. They come with features that used to be exclusive to optical film cameras and a few entirely new ones: such as being able to see the framed image exactly as it will appear in the final picture. Best of all, digital cameras are now much, much cheaper.

None of these will keep you from accidentally moving the camera at the critical moment, or placing your thumb over your picture just as you press 'click'.

Getting the most out of your digital camera consists of two parts. First, purchase a camera which best meets your needs at your cost threshold. Second, learn how to best make use of its features to take the pictures you want.

IDENTIFYING YOUR NEEDS

What kind of pictures are you most likely to take? Are your subjects likely to be constantly moving, or are you more of a static photographer? Do you want high manual control over the various controls, or do you prefer auto-focus and automatic light compensation? Do you need print quality, professional quality, or will you be sharing your pictures on Facebook? How much card memory will you need to cover all the pictures you are likely to take until you can transfer them to your computer?

If you will be taking many pictures of moving subjects, you may want to keep in mind that an automated camera may be slow to focus at low light. An image-stabilised lens can compensate for any slight movement you might make while taking the picture. A larger digital sensor element is capable of higher pixel resolution. (Some professional-quality larger sensors also make use of a different technology, known as 'full-frame': but here you are looking at some significant price jumps.) At some point most photographers will want close-ups, making a good-quality optical zoom a highly useful part of the core package. Make sure it is an optical zoom and not a digital zoom, since the latter will only magnify the pixels, not bring the original image 'closer' in the same manner as a telephoto lens.

If you take many pictures while you travel, you will definitely want to consider the memory size of individual memory cards. This holds

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