Can you name the best 3 digital cameras to buy for under $200? How about the worst? It can be pretty intimidating for those unfamiliar with digital camera technology to really know if their getting value for their dollar, or just getting ripped off. How do you distinguish the flood of technical specifications between important features, and marketing hype? Knowing what to look for and what to ignore can help ease your buying decision. And save you money.

Then you should note the megapixels, optical zoom and digital zoom. Another thing you need to know is what the internal memory is without the memory card. The next thing you should find out is the type of memory card that is used in the digital camera. You will also need to know if the camera has video capabilities and if it does, does it include sound.

Your digital camera comparison checklist needs to include the size of the viewing screen and the image format for video and images. Next, you should find out the focusing range and if manual focusing is included.

Always check for the flash settings and whether the camera has red eye reduction. A few other things to consider are, does the camera has a self-timer, manual flash control and if it has continuous shooting and if so, how many frames per second.

The checklist should include a spot for recycling time and the shooting modes available as well as the photo affects.

Bigger LCD’s are a big sales point these days with manufacturers and sales staff alike. In this case size is nice, but there are other things to consider as well.

LCD resolution is important to consider as well. It allows you to view the LCD from off center, and ensures that likelihood that you’ll be able to view your screen in bright sunlight. Unless your budget is under $150, I wouldn’t settle for a LCD resolution less than 230,000 pixels.

They produce larger pixel sizes which translates into a better image quality. They can be equipped with interchangeable lenses, filters and flashes. There is no shutter lag: with proper accessories, you can catch a clear image of a Formula 1 car moving at 300kmph. The lenses and other accessories are interchangeable with other cameras

Still, DSLR’s are heavier than their “baby” consumer competitors and more difficult to manipulate, the shutter click sound can be quite annoying, and are difficult to operate by an inexperienced photographer.