The biggest misconception I’ve come across with regards to digital cameras is the myth that resolution is everything, and that the more megapixels you have, the better your photographs will be.
Admittedly, if your camera has a high resolution you’ll have more freedom when it comes to editing, and you’ll also be able to print relatively large pictures, but with that said, not many people actually stand to benefit from this.
As far as the average person is concerned, pictures measuring 8×10 will usually prove to be adequate, and also, most casual shooters very rarely need to do extensive editing.
More advanced photographers will likely appreciate the flexibility of higher resolution, but a 10+ megapixel camera is by no means necessary to create stunning pictures. Choose a camera you can understand and afford.
Unlike resolution, zoom is probably more important than you think. Whether you want the camera for taking close up portraits, or whether you want to photograph distant wildlife, you can never have too much zooming power. Most of today’s digital cameras have a 3 or 4x optical zoom, but if you choose something more powerful, you will never regret it.
Fortunately the extended zoom camera category is growing rapidly, and there is a great selection of models with 8-, 10-, or even 12x optical zoom.
If you want good results with zoom photography, then you should ideally purchase an extended-zoom camera which includes image stabilization. This will help you to achieve very sharp images without even having to use a tripod.
When it comes to camera batteries, you get two types of camera. The one uses AA batteries while the other uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. If you’re a traveler then it’s best to stick with cameras that use of the AA batteries, especially if you enjoyed visiting remote areas where they may not be an electrical supply.
Cameras that use proprietary batteries are not a practical choice for travelers, in that once the battery runs out of power; you won’t be able to use your camera again until you manage to recharge your batteries. This also means that you’ll need to make sure you always have your battery charger with you, and in some countries you’ll also need a power converter.
If access to an outlet is ever in doubt, or if you don’t want the hassle of carrying cords and chargers, then the limitations of this system are obvious.
When a camera that uses AA-size batteries runs out of power on a trip, you can simply throw out the old batteries and drop in a new set of high-performance AAs like the Energizer E2 Lithium line. Two or three sets of such batteries can usually take you through a 10-day trip.
Of course if you do happen to run out of high-performance batteries, you can still use the standard ones as well. While these may not last very long, they are available all over the world.
