Camera comparison, you ask “Where do I start?”

Every "expert" has their own ideas on correct camera comparison and how you should choose. I will start by saying I feel most are misleading.

Most of the advice is based on either the representatives personal preferences or on technical specifications of the machine rather than being based on you and your desires. You are a human being not a machine. Do you think you'd make your best decision based on what you will be most comfortable with and what you want from the equipment?

To me, after I decide which category and have narrowed the field to a couple of cameras, the next most important things to consider become; how it fits my hand and the buttons I think I will use most. How accessible are they? Can I easily make adjustments?

If you have already settled on a specific camera please read through this comparison page anyway. It will do one of two things. It will either reinforce your decision or it may raise some issues you haven’t considered.

It seems that every market, whether it's automobiles, tooth brushes or cameras bombards us with all the reasons their product is technically superior to, and will outlast all the others.

What often is overlooked in camera comparison, as well as the rest of the products is comparing them in a way that shows me what I will get out of it. What will it do that will ultimately make me happy.

In photography; what makes me happy is the finish picture. I'm happy with this truck; another shot taken with an inexpensive camera. I've spoken of post editing. This photo is the result of some pretty simple post editing.

Below is the original of this truck picture. Needless to say one can easily recognize that the picture was not taken long, long ago. But I liked the truck and decided to get creative. I kind of like the aged look of it.

I put the truck's before and after picture in here to demonstrate what one can accomplish with a little, inexpensive point & shoot camera. Read on to discover whether or not you need a large expensive camera.

One can even turn a photograph into a cancelled stamp.

In any category of product these days, when you are comparing apples to apples, the reality is that relative quality is so very close. It becomes more a matter of personal preference, even in camera comparison.

I speak of all the little things that make a difference to you. The size, how it fits your hand. How easy it operates in comparison to the scope of features it offers and all that in comparison to the range you personally want in your camera. All the little things that matter to you.

O.K. We’re off and running. First in your camera comparison shopping, find which category of camera is right for you. The answer to which category depends on the answer to a few other questions. Once you have these answers you can delve into brand name and features. Then you will be able to find your personal “Best Camera.”

The category names I choose to use for camera comparison are

*Ultra compact

*point & shoot

*Advanced point & shoot, and

*DSLR

Don't just look at your current level of expertise or how you expect to use the camera. Rather, I strongly urge you to make a chart for cross comparison of your criteria.

First, what will you photograph most? It sounds pretty elementary but where and how you will spend most of your time clicking that shutter makes a huge difference in what equipment you should use. We will cover cost of equipment in due time. Right now concentrate on what you will be shooting.