From your grandmother to your three-year-old niece, everyone seems to want a digital camera for Christmas. Yes, they have digital cameras for three year olds!
However, buying a digital camera for someone can be quite an experience, so here are some tips.
When it comes to megapixels, most hobbyist photographers won’t be able to tell the difference between a 4-megapixel camera and a 6-megapixel camera. But there may be a big difference in price. Also, higher megapixel cameras typically require more memory. So if the Christmas present is for a hobbyist or someone new to digital photography, a 4-megapixel camera should work just fine.
If you’re buying a digital camera for an older person, say your grandparents, then make sure the screen and menu commands are big enough for them to read. Their Christmas present won’t be of much use to them if they can’t see the screen or find the buttons.
If you are giving a digital camera to someone who has never owned a digital camera or is upgrading to a more advanced model, then take some time to make sure they know how to operate the camera. For example:
* how to turn it on and off
* how to make basic menu selections
* how to take a photo
* explain what type of memory card the camera has
* where is the memory card
* how to download images
* how to erase the memory card so they can take more photos
* how to charge and/or replace the batteries
* accessories they may want to get
Make sure your Christmas gift is used and appreciated. Consider how the digital camera will be used and who will use it. Do your research and shop around to get the perfect digital camera for that person on your Christmas list.