When you decided to invest in a digital camera, chances are you had no clue that the choice on offer would be so vast.
It’s a bit like asking for something as simple as an apple, then having the greengrocer throw 150 varieties at you – sweet, tart, crunchy, red, green, cooking, juicing . . .how would you know which one you’d like best just by looking?
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of sony digital cameras on the market. Pick a category that suits you and focus your research accordingly.
Entry level digital cameras are the cheapest and easiest to use. But you get what you pay for – the picture quality can be low and there is usually quite a delay between pressing the shutter button and the image actually being taken. But if you choose carefully and are aware of the downsides, you should be able to take perfectly acceptable snaps.
The most popular sony cameras are pocket sized. They have durable metal bodies and boast a touch of style. Features are easy to understand and they are simple to use. This is your standard point-and-shoot camera.
Spending a little bit more will increase your options. If your focus is on style then there’s a wide range of slim and colourful models which will get you noticed in a flash. And, if it matters to you, the picture quality is usually marginally better than the standard pocket version.
Super zoom cameras are much bigger and they sport plenty of features to bring out your creative side. With a zoom of more than 20x, these cameras particularly appeal to action and wildlife photographers.
But there’s a middle ground option too for those of us who are not quite as fanatical. We want the extra scope of a zoom up to 12x, but still want something fairly compact and manageable.
If you’re the adventurous type, then a waterproof or toughened camera is a must. Most cameras can be dropped from a height of 1.5m and carry on working. They can be a good choice for a family.
Advanced digital cameras offer the widest range of features available without stepping up to a digital SLR. They are often used as a second camera by professional photographers.
For those who prefer to use camcorders, there are plenty of types which are much quicker and better quality than they used to be. But there is a cost to that versatility and expect to pay more for even an entry level camcorders. However, buying a big name brand, like a sony camcorder, also gives you peace of mind when you are parting with your cash.