Handy Cam
How to find just the right digital camera

BY CRAIG SEGAL

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Portability is one of the most desirable features of digital cameras. You can chuck ’em in your purse or pocket, and be ready to shoot on the fly. You’ll save money on film and developing and be able to show off your pics without having to lug around a photo album. Brunching with your brother in Toronto and he’s dying to see what your hot new motorcycle looks like? Just switch on your LCD screen and show him the pic your girlfriend snapped of you sitting on that sweet hog!

The downside? Unless you spend big bucks, you won’t attain quality resolution. This is definitely one area where bigger is better. Canon’s EOS Digital Rebel, a professional-level camera that can use 50 Canon lenses, is about the closest you can get to film-quality resolution.

Oh, and make sure you have extra batteries, because digital cameras go through them like Dad goes through turkey leftovers.

If you’re up to the task, whether buying for yourself or someone else—Are those Santa’s bells ringing?—make sure the camera suits your needs. The last thing you want to do is waltz into a camera shop uninformed and come away with an expensive, complicated device you can’t use. So do some basic research: Think about your needs, and narrow your choice down to one or two cameras.

Here’s a start:
- If you plan to print your pics, especially in larger sizes, look for high resolution.
- If you plan on being shot-crazy at Little League, you’ll want a good zoom and an image stabilizer.
- If you want to capture life’s lovely moments to store them on your computer—and e-bombard your buddies—resolution is not as important. In other words, a cheaper camera will suffice.
- If you’re planning a big trip, you’ll need a camera with loads of storage space or extra memory cards. You don’t want to be all set to take a shot of the Swedish volleyball team at your hotel swimming pool only to excuse yourself while you discreetly delete photos you’ll later regret trashing.
- Are you planning on mostly close-ups? Your focus should be a good macro lens.

For the Nature Lover—Or a Dashing Spy
We found a couple of interesting cameras that would be great for a nature photographer—but could get you in a little hot water if used, ahem, inappropriately. National Geographic offers a motion sensor camera you can strap to a tree at the cottage. It’ll snap wildlife for you—while you’re devouring the latest Reader’s Digest by the fireplace. Or check out the awesome telescope with camera attached: http://shop.nationalgeographic.com

Kid Clicks
Want to see if your tyke’s a shutterbug? Start her off with a few disposables and see if it sticks. If so, you might want to move her onto something like the Kid-Tough Digital Camera by Fisher Price. It’s got two-eye viewing so your mini Annie Leibovitz doesn’t have to learn to squint. Just like Mommy’s cam, it’s got an LCD screen to view the pics she’s snapped. It’s also got big fat protective hand-grips, colourful buttons, an auto-flash, stores up to 60 pics, and connects to your computer for easy delivery to Gramps.

Check out www.imaging-resource.com for good camera reviews. It’ll even help you pick the camera that best suits you!

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