What Digital Camera buying guide: what camera to buy & how to choose it

Need advice on what camera to buy, or what to look out for when buying a camera?

Click on the statement that best describes you.

- I don't know what type of camera I want

- I want to buy a compact camera

- I want to buy a digital SLR

- I want to buy a Compact System Camera, or find out more about this camera type

- I need advice on what to look for in a camera

- I'm on a tight budget

- I want to buy a camera accessory

- I've read all this advice and am still confused

I don't know what type of camera I want!

Use the tool: Camera selector

Summary: This tool lets you answer a couple of simple questions to provide you with a list of cameras suitable for your needs. Try it now!

Read the article: Choosing a camera type

Article summary: Advice on how to choose a camera type. We describe the difference between a compact camera, a superzoom camera, DSLR camera and Compact System (hybrid) cameras.

Watch the video: Video guide to buying a digital camera

Video summary: So you want to buy a digital camera, but there are so many different types and styles how do you know what camera to buy for your needs? Fear not, our video guide to digital cameras explains all.

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I want to buy a compact camera

Read the article: Guide to choosing a compact camera

Article summary: Everything you need to know to help you make the right choice when choosing a compact camera. Things to consider when choosing what camera to buy, and different types of compacts explained.

Read the article: Best compact digital cameras 2012

Article summary: We list the best compact cameras on sale at the moment, and which is suitable for various needs.

Read the article: Best creative compacts 2012

Article summary: If you are looking for a camera that offers full manual control without the bulk of a large digital SLR, then take a look at our list of the best creative compacts on sale now.

Read the article: The best underwater cameras 2012

Article summary: If you need a compact camera for use underwater there are a few things to consider such as how deep you want to be able to submerge it. We list the best underwater cameras for your needs on sale right now.

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I want to buy a digital SLR

Read the article: Guide to choosing a digital SLR 

Article summary: Whether you're on a tight budget or treating yourself to a top-end model, our guide to DSLR main features will help you make the right choice on what camera to buy

Watch the video: Video guide to buying a digital SLR

Article summary: In this series of videos we run through the things you need to consider when buying a DSLR, what camera to buy and what additional options you might want to fork out a bit extra to have.

Read the article: Best digital SLR cameras 2012

Article summary: Our list of the best of all the digital SLR cameras on sale right now, ordered by price.

Read the article: Best Entry-Level DSLRs 2012

Article summary: ‘Entry-level' DSLR cameras, as they're so often called, are great for first timers looking to take more control over their image making. But ‘entry-level' needn't mean ‘low spec', as these DSLRs are often highly specified and their larger sensor sizes will help you create images miles beyond what a compact camera's capable of. We list some of the best

Read the article: Best semi-pro DSLRs 2012

Article summary: Semi-pro or 'prosumer' are two terms used interchangably to describe DSLRs that not only produce top image quality, but deliver a series of features more closely associated with professional shooting. We list some of the best choices for high-end enthusiasts or the semi-pro photographer.

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I want to buy a Compact System (hybrid) camera

Read the article: Best Compact System Cameras 2012

Article summary: We explain what Compact System Cameras are and give overviews of the best Compact System Cameras to grace the shelves in 2011. As there have been so many CSC releases throughout 2011 there're stacks of decent ones to choose from, and often for very different reasons.

Read the reviews: Compact System Camera reviews

Summary: We've reviewed the Compact System cameras on the market today, and you can find them all listed in their own section on the website, together with details and reviews.

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I need advice on what to look out for in a camera

Read the article: What to look for in a camera

Article summary: What features to look out for when buying a digital camera

Read the article: Buying a camera online

Article summary: Before you buy a camera online, see our guide of what to look out for to avoid scams and ways in which you can safeguard against unscrupulous sellers

Read the article: Technology explained

Article summary: What does intelligent auto mean? What's so good about face detection? We explain what all the technical jargon means in our article

Read the article: Dos and don'ts when buying camera equipment

Article summary: What to bear in mind when choosing your ideal DSLR

Use the tool: Compare camera specifications

Tool summary: Now you know more about what you want, use this tool to compare camera specificaitons, to find which ones have what you want.

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I'm on a tight budget

Read the article: Budget compact cameras for less than £100

Article summary: With an abundance of cameras available on the market, we review the best budget compact cameras on the market right now for less than £100.

Read the article: Best Mid-Price DSLRs 2012

Article summary: Looking for an affordable yet well-specified DSLR then you've come to the right place. Amid the vast range of DSLR cameras new and old, 2011 has seen some standout releases of mid-level models. We list best DSLRs under £1000

Read the article: Getting a bargain on your photography equipment

Article summary: Tips to getting the most for your money when spending on photography equipment

Read the article: How to save money on your photography and camera equipment

Article summary: Photography on a budget needn't be tough. We've put together a selection of ways to keep costs down so that you can keep shooting.

Read the article: Digital camera best buys 2011

Article summary: Perfectly capable and fully-featured DSLRs can be picked up for a bargain price once they are no longer the newest model on the market. We list the current digital camera best buys on established older models.

Read the article: Second hand cameras

Article summary: A beginner's guide to purchasing used cameras from the internet, including what to look out for, and some recommended cameras.

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I want to buy a camera accessory

Read our guide to tripods

Read our guide to lenses

Read our guide to flash

Read our guide to camera bags

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I'm still confused

Ask a question in the buying advice forum

If none of these articles help answer your questions, ask our friendly forum members for help.

See our full list of buying advice

See the full range of our buying advice articles. We're regularly adding new advice, on topical issues, and round ups of new cameras and equipment.

Take a look through our reviews

Scroll through our reviews of digtal cameras. Reviews include price, our scores and verdict, so you can read full details of how the camera tested, or skip to our summary at the end.

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