Purchasing a Digital Camera:
Video Resolution
Resolution is the number of horizontal pixels by vertical pixels that a camera can capture (higher is better). Many digital cameras shoot 320x240 pixels of video, but some shoot 640x480 pixels.
Frames Per Second (fps)
Frames per second is exactly what it sounds like -- the number of video frames captured in a second. Many digital cameras capture 15fps, but some capture 30fps.
Short Recording Time
Some digital cameras can only record video for a short time (30-45 seconds) before they must stop and write the footage to memory. Others can record until the memory card fills up. Check for these limits before purchasing your camera.
For Details, see Digital Camera Recording Time
Battery Life
Independent Digital Camera Review Sites are often a good source for finding realistic battery life estimates for digital cameras (manufacturers often report optimistically high operation time). If you plan on recording outdoors for extended periods, you might consider a spare battery.
Proprietary Batteries
Some cameras require proprietary batteries, while others operate on standard AA or AAA batteries. Proprietary batteries may provide longer life, but they may require a recharging station and cost more to replace. Standard batteries are available most anywhere in the world, but might not provide the same shooting time.
Image Quality
Some Digital Camera Review Sites post footage shot from specific models of digital cameras. Otherwise, you'll need to rely on the resolution, frames per second, and mega-pixel count for a very rough estimate of picture quality.
Ergonomics and User Interface
Even if you buy online, we recommend checking out a few brands of digital cameras in stores. Hold a variety of models and brands to see which shape is most comfortable. Try putting it in your pocket or bag (to check the bulk, not to hijack it).
Sound Quality
Don't count on high quality sound from a digital camera. Just get as close to your sound source as you can.
It is also possible to Record Audio Externally and sync the picture and sound after the fact, but this adds a lot of time to editing.
Storage Space and Format
Most cameras come with a low-capacity memory card; you'll probably want to upgrade. Just check and make sure you get the proper format.
The amount of shooting time you can record to a given card varies from camera model to model, and also depends on resolution and compression settings.
We're always looking to improve these guides.
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