A display of digital cameras is seen in an electronics store. While picking the right camera for you comes down to your personal preference, there are some things to look for when making your choice. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cpchannel/ / CC BY 2.0

In previous entries, I've written about how to select electronic devices such as laptops, desktops and televisions. Next up on my list of major electronics most people purchase at one time are another are digital cameras. However, unlike computers, it's tougher to describe what makes one camera better than another, especially because the available technology has advanced beyond what any average user could ever need. Still, there are some things to look for while shopping that will help narrow your search.

There are two broad categories of digital cameras, DSLR cameras and point-and-shoot cameras. While DSLRs are generally preferred by professional photographers, the advantages offered are going to be over the head of the average user. For the majority of people, a point-and-shoot camera will be more practical anyway, as they're generally smaller, less expensive and less complicated to use. So for the purposes of this entry, I'll only be looking at point-and-shoot models. Anyway, in all honesty, if you need a DSLR you probably know more about cameras than I do anyway.

Once upon a time, a major consideration when shopping for a digital camera was how many megapixels it had, a number used to describe the quality of the pictures a camera can take. When cameras were only about 2 or 3 megapixels, maximizing this spec was important. After all, a photo taken with a 2-megapixel camera just isn't going to work as an 8-by-10 print. But now, it's a different story. There are a few 5 megapixel cameras left out there, so I would shy away from those. Having 7 or 8 megapixels will be fine for most people, and 10 megapixels -- what most cameras are nowadays -- will be more than enough for nearly all uses.

Digital zoom is another specification that doesn't mean anything. When you use a digital zoom, the camera is simply cropping the photo for you. It's better to just take the picture as is and crop it later using whatever photo editing software you have access to -- the camera should come with its own, and all computers come with basic software as well. That way, you can crop it the way you want it later rather than trying to do so on the fly when the action is actually taking place.

Optical zoom, however, is another matter. This is when the focal length of the lens itself changes, more akin to using a magnifying glass than just cropping the photo as with a digital zoom. There are two types of optical zoom lenses -- those with a fixed length and those that change length -- but with the advent of auto-focusing cameras, they are essentially the same for average users. You'll want to look for the highest optical zoom factor you can get based on the size you want -- generally a more powerful optical zoom will require a larger lens, as fixed-length lenses can only accomplish so much. Looking for at least a 5X optical zoom is a good starting point, but you may save money if you're willing to accept less.

You'll also want to keep in mind the storage media and batteries a camera uses. Many cameras use AA batteries, rechargeable or standard, but others use specialized battery packs. If that's the case, it means a dead battery will put you out of commission until you recharge it, so I would recommend going with a model that can use AAs for on-the-go use. As for storage, SD/SDHC cards are fairly standard, so I would shy away from the larger CompactFlash memory or the less common xD-Picture cards. This is especially true if you have a newer computer or television, many of which have built-in slots for SD cards.

The final specification that will make a difference to the average user is the video recording capabilities of a camera. While a dedicated video camera will almost always beat out a still camera, that line is blurring in some cases. The two things to keep in mind on this one are the maximum recording resolution and the maximum clip length. You're unlikely to get full 1080p on a digital camera that's not a DSLR, but 720p is becoming fairly common and will be just fine for most users. While that will still eat through available memory quickly, it can be downgraded to lower quality to allow for longer clips. Many cameras will allow you to continue to shoot video until you run out of memory, but some place a cap on video, usually about 30 seconds. Avoid cameras that place this sort of artificial restriction on your ability to capture a moment.

Beyond these tips, much of buying a camera comes down to personal preference, so you'll want try out a lot of models in a store. How slim and light do you want it to be? What sorts of additional features (face detection, smile detection, burst mode) are you interested in? How easy is it to navigate the menu system to find the options you want? Take the time to read some expert reviews online about the models you are considering -- even cameras that may seem similar can have make-or-break differences you may not notice after a few minutes of use in a store.

Just based on a quick search, I found the Kodak EasyShare Z1485 IS to be a good balance of price and features. It may be a little bulky for users who want to slip something thin into a pocket, but it will definitely deliver all the performance most people need. If you do want a slim camera, there are a lot out there, but recognize you're probably going to have to settle for a less powerful optical zoom and a proprietary battery pack. Speaking of proprietary hardware, Sony cameras eschew SD/SDHC cards for their own Memory Stick format, which is reason enough for me to avoid the brand. But in the end, it's your call what will work best for you. Looking to save some cash and still get a good camera? Check out KEH Camera for a great selection of used cameras. And hey, there's always eBay. Enjoy your search!