A camera for images of top quality for web pages, desktop publishing etc : Now, if you need a camera for taking pictures for desktop publishing or web site development, then you need one with a 4-5 mega pixel range. These cameras normally have lots of additional features which you can use to enhance your images. Even though they are quite costly, they provide best options with respect to resolution, features, and creativity. They also allow you create prints up to 8x10 inches in size with very good quality.

Besides above points, you also need to consider other issues such as ergonomics of camera. How does it feel when you hold it in your hand ? Are you comfortable with its size and weight? Is it practical to carry it throughout day ? Is its shape user friendly or does it look like a gizmo out of Star Wars?

If you emphasize on a light-weight and small camera, then you must also keep in mind fact that you will compromising on battery life. Most small cameras do not have powerful batteries since larger battery, more power. Also, small cameras have very small flash lights – so amount of flash generated by these pea-sized flashes will be considerably less than a bigger camera.

Hence, it is very important that you know exactly what you need your camera for in order to ensure that you are truly buying best digital camera for yourself.

Let’s go over types of digital video cameras for consumers and hobbyists. First there is DV, HDDV, Mini DV. Handheld palm size cameras, larger full featured cameras with great audio options, and finally cameras that rival professional quality and can be used to make some very professional looking video products.

It is also important that you have correct software for enhancing images once you have loaded them onto your computer. These will help you to edit your work in best possible manner and also easily load them for video conferencing, emailing etc.

Many software programs for NLE editing (non linear editing) exist for consumer and pro alike. Adobe makes it Premier line of editing software which has proven to be quite popular and effective over years. This is more of a mid level software and is relatively expensive. I use it for my corporate editing needs. Other mid to high level software packages include Final Cut Pro (on Mac platform), and DV Express (from Avid). On cheaper side of things you can use Imovie software on Mac side of things, Pinnacle Studio 9, Ulead Video Studio 8, and My DVD5 from Sonic.

Hence, if you do your homework in advance, you will be happy in end. So, go and check out websites and shops for information on what you need, talk to shop keepers, and then simply zoom away! There are so many wonderful things you as a consumer can do today with digital video cameras. Don't wait for next wave. Jump into digital video today and have some fun with it.