digital camera buying guide

A cool feature for: snapshooter, trendsetter, business user, undecided

Many digital cameras can capture video clips. While none of them will produce the quality of a dedicated camcorder, some are substantially better than others. The best video-clip quality currently available from a digital still camera is 1080p HD--though 720p is far more common--with sound. Some cameras allow you to record a continuous clip up to the capacity of your memory card, while others shoot only 30 seconds or so at a time. And not all cameras that shoot video capture sound, so pay attention to the specs if you want your clips to be talkies. Only a handful of cameras can zoom while shooting video, so check the product information before buying if that capability is important to you. And if you'll want to connect to an HDTV to play HD movies directly from the camera, optimally you'd want an HDMI connection; some cameras provide component output and cables, but they tend to have proprietary connectors with unwieldy hydra-like cables.

A cool feature for: trendsetter, business user, serious amateur

Some cameras let you record brief voice annotations to accompany photos. A few double as voice recorders, allowing you to record hours of audio if your memory card is large enough. Look for a camera with a built-in speaker in addition to the microphone if you want to be able to play voice recordings back on the camera.

A cool feature for: trendsetter, business user, budget buyer, undecided

Some cameras may be used as Webcams and come with the requisite videoconferencing software. If you'd like to use this feature, look for a camera with a built-in microphone so that you don't have to attach a separate one to your computer to videoconference with sound. Some cameras come with a USB cradle or offer one as an optional accessory--obviously, a more convenient option than propping your camera up with a book.

A cool feature for: trendsetter, snapshooter

A few cameras can play MP3 and other audio files and come with earphones. These models are generally aimed at gadget lovers more than at shutterbugs or audiophiles, so don't expect top-notch photo quality or extensive audio controls from them.

A cool feature for: trendsetter, snapshooter, business user

Many cameras allow you to resize, copy, or make other changes to your images before you download them to a computer. Some even let you edit video clips in-camera on a small timeline.

A cool feature for: trendsetter, business user, serious amateur

Some cameras have special shooting modes to capture stop-motion animation, 3D pictures, and other special types of images.

A cool feature for: trendsetter, business user

Some cameras borrow from the world of cell phones and PDAs to provide features such as alarm clocks and displays of the time in world capitals. We don't recommend choosing a camera just to get these extras, but they can come in handy if the model you buy happens to have them.

A cool feature for: trendsetter, business user, serious amateur

A few consumer cameras allow you to send images wirelessly to a compatible device or upload them to a photo-sharing service via a hotspot. Some professional SLRs are compatible with wireless transmitters that you attach to the camera.