Samsung S760 Digital Camera for £50

with a face recognition function that detects the face of anyone infront of camera. Although this may seem pointless, it helps the picture by automatically adjusting the zoom to give a clearer picture of the face. The dual image stabilisation reduces blur, for a clearer shot. The Samsung S760 digital camera is compatible with SD memory cards, and comes complete with power cable, CD and manual.

Setup is relatively easy, just ensure the camera has a good charge before its first use to maximise battery performance. Overall, for a first time digital camera user this is perfect christmas present – with a high 7.2MP quality, and robust build – im sure they wont be disappointed!

We will start off with Digital Cameras, which in these examples come in Pink!:

Pink Fuji-Z100FD Digital Camera

FUJI Z100FD in Pink available from Currys – Around £99

This first gift is the simple, elegant Fuji Z100 FD. With 8MP, Optical Zoom – 5 x, and a 2.7″ digital screen on the back to view images this would be suitable for a first time digital camera user. Other technical specifications include:

Memory Type – XD and SD
Battery Supplied – Rechargeable
Face Detection Software
A 54mb Memory Card
Image Stabilisation
USB Connection
Video Output

Vtech Kidizoom Digital Camera

VTech Kidizoom Digital Camera from Early Learning Centre – Around £50

Second up, we have the tough and easy-to-use Vtech Kidizoom digital camera. As the name suggests, this camera is aimed at younger children, and is robust enough to take knocks and bumps along the way. At a modest £50, this can be a fantastic gift idea this xmas.

Your child can take photos, make videos and play games, which will offer hours of entertainment. You are also able to edit photos with stamps and frames or record voice tags. Easy to link to TV or PC. With 16 MB memory, flash, 4.6 cm colour screen, carry strap and TV/PC cables.

Requires 4 x AA batteries.

The Fuji Z20 Digital Camera in Pink

Fuji – Z20 Pink Digital Camera from Dixons – £95.04

Similar to the Z100, this digital camera from Fuji is a compact, high resolution camera at a low price. Some of the technical specifications are as follows:

10 Megapixel Resolution
3 x Optical Zoom,
2.5″ Screen Size
Memory Type – XD and SD,

Type of Battery – Rechargeable NP-45
Motion picture recording, LCD Screen, Continous shooting mode, USB Connection, Video Output.

IXUS 80 IS Digital Camera in Pink

Canon IXUS 80IS in Pink: Around £130

This digital camera has 8 megapixel resolution, 4x digital zoom and 3x optical zoom.  The focal length is 38-114mm and the ISO range is 80-1600.  The IXUS 80IS is SD memory card compatible.  Face recognition and an image stabiliser software is built into the camera itself to help sharpen the images and deliver better photos. This Canon provides automatic exposure, auto focus, auto flash and self timer.  The IXUS 80IS pink digital camera has a video record feature which is great for capturing those embarassing chistmas moments!

The videos and images are viewed on a clear 2.5″ LCD screen. This camera comes with a Li-ion rechargeable battery to save on those expensive Duracels!

If you are thinking about buying a Digital Camera, make sure to read through some of these suggestions before going ahead. Digital cameras can be found in many many shapes, sizes, colors, and brands. There are also multiple zoom lenses, accessories, playback modes, and just about anything else you can imagine, so it can get a little confusing for a casual user. Because of this, I have outlined a few tips to help you choose the right Digital Camera.

1. Always Try Before You Buy

If you don’t already have a digital camera make sure you try before you buy, get a feel for the unit and make sure it is small/big enough, has a good build quality and the right functionality for your needs.

2. Get the camera with the right resolution.

When SLR cameras ruled the professional photography market, it was unheard of to purchase a 10mp camera for casual use, but now it is possible. The Megapixel is a measure of the image quality within the photo taken. Each dot in a picture is a pixel, thefore the more pixels the camera can fit into the picture, the higher the quality and resolution of the shot. I would suggest 3 or 4MP cameras are suitable for casual or home use, and 8-10MP plus for more professional work.

3. Make sure you have enough storage on your SD card.

The Pentax Optio M30

When you take a photo, it needs to be stored somewhere! The quality of the camera will affect the size of the image file once taken. A 128MB SD card will store on average 113 photos from a 1MP camera, 60 from a 3MP camera and 38 from a 6MP camera, so buy a memory card that is suitable to your usage. My recommendation would be at least a 512MB card which will allow enough room for you to also store video.

4. Ensure you find suitable protection for your camera.

Once you have bought your camera, make sure that you have adequate protection for it. The delicate nature of these items can mean water, dirt or scratches can severely affect the performance of the unit. A solid camera case will also protect your purchase from any minor knocks or bumps, and increase its durability.

We will soon be going into more advanced digital camera tips, but for now enjoy your purchase and get snapping!