What Features Do You Need In a Digital Camera?

With new digital cameras being introduced almost every week, and many new and innovative features and functions appearing on digital cameras these days it can be difficult to understand what they do and if you really need all those functions. So which features are important?
Megapixels
First of all don't worry too much about the megapixels. The number of megapixels don't matter. Digital camera makers keeps trying to make you believe that the more megapixels the camera has the better. The number of megapixels has little to do with how the image looks. Colour and tone are much more important.
Image Stabilization
Image Stabilization is an important feature in digital cameras. Image Stabilization helps to reduce the effects of camera shake allowing you to take sharp images in dim light or with long (zoom) lenses. Image Stabilization uses motion sensors to detect motion and shift the optical image or move the image sensor to ensure the image stays sharp when taking the picture. Image Stabilization is a very important feature to have in your new digital camera. However it is important to note that some camera makers use terms such as "anti shake" which isn't real image stabilization, it simply boosts the ISO to obtain a faster shutter speeds, and isn't proper image stabilization.
Large LCD
Unlike the amount of megapixels of the image sensor, the bigger and more pixels your camera LCD has the better. A bigger LCD make is easier to compose the image when taking your photo and viewing them back afterward, while the more pixels the LCD has the easier it is to check that the image is sharp and focused correctly.
Digital Zoom
Digital zoom should not be an important factor when comparing digital camera features. You should only every use Optical Zoom, as with digital zoom you loose image quality and sharpness.

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