What Are Budget Cameras?

These easy-to-use shooters cost less that $200 but often lack the megapixels and fancy features--like high zoom or a big and bright LCD--of their more expensive counterparts. While they may take a decent photo, they often have trouble in low light, or have a cheap, flimsy feel. You'll take most of your photos in an automated scene mode since there are few manual controls.

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What Are Digital SLRs?

Digital SLRs (single lens reflex) operate much like film cameras.Unlike point-and-shoot digital cameras, what you see when you look through the viewfinder is what you'll shoot.

Users can change lenses, add accessories, control depth of field, apeature, shutter speed, ISO, and almost every other setting. They are sold in kits that include body, lens (usually 18-35mm), battery, charger and software, or the body alone.

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What Are Point-and-Shoot Cameras?

Point-and-shoots are all-purpose, mid-tier cameras that offer advanced features like better zoom, a brighter LCD screen, and better video modes than their budget brethren. They tend to be more durable and offer a variety of film-like manual controls while still providing a wide selection of preset scenes. They range in size from ultra-compact models that fit in your plam to full-size models with a sturdy grip, and often include features like face recognition and anti-shake.

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What Are Ultra-Zoom Cameras?

Ultra-zoom cameras have at least the 35mm equivalent of a 28-200mm lens (which usually means about 7X optical zoom) for getting faraway shots without sacrificing image quality. Digital zoom is worthless; it just blows up images, degrading their quality. Designed for more advanced users, ultra-zooms usually offer more manual controls (exposure, apeature, ISO) and some on-camera editing options.