Check the Reviews Before You Buy

When you're considering a new camera, it's a good idea to check out the opinions of the pros. A digital camera review can tell you a lot of details about the camera – such as if it lives up to the manufacturer's hype and how comfortable and easy it is to use.

You can find reviews online at camera magazines' websites – such as Shutterbug (www.shutterbug.com) and Popular Photography magazine (www.popphoto.com) or at review sites like Digital Photography Review (www.dpreview.com) and the Digital Camera Resource Page (www.dcresource.com).

It's always a good idea to check at least two reviews. One reviewer can miss something that another picks up – or a personal bias may color a reviewer's opinion.