Best Digital Cameras for Beginners

The bells, whistles and overall shininess of today's digital cameras can make a first-time shopping experience overwhelming. But don't worry -- if you focus on your needs and decide what you want out of a camera, you won't feel compelled to understand every whizgig and whirlidad you see.

Pixels are a big selling point for a lot of first-time consumers, but you might not need the highest pixel count you can find. If you're just taking snapshots for 4 x 6 prints, a digital camera with a 3MP pixel count is just fine. On the other hand, if you plan to create 8 x 10 prints or large posters, you'll want a pixel count of at least 5MP.

If you think it might be fun to take extreme close-ups of flowers, insects or similarly small, detailed things, look for a digital camera with a super macro function. Super macro allows you to take detailed images up-close without any blurriness or distortion.

Memory is important, too. Almost all digital cameras have on-board memory in addition to memory card slots. Try to find a camera that takes SD cards, which tend to be more convenient and less expensive than other types of cards.

Price, of course, is a big consideration. While it's true that you can get a digital camera for less than $100, it probably won't offer a good picture quality. Plan on spending at least $150 for a decent beginner's digital camera.