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 A recent study showed more than three-quarters of American households own at least one digital camera, so you should take advantage of the knowledge others have gained. Friends and family can be a great resource for learning about which digital cameras work well and which don’t.

If you’ll shoot a lot of nature photos, you’ll want a large zoom lens. If you’re going to shoot your children’s athletic events, look for a large zoom lens and fast response times in a digital camera. If you aren’t sure how you’ll use the camera, or if you don’t have a primary focus for your photography, try to pick a good all-around model.

Most new digital cameras, even beginner-level, point-and-shoot models, contain plenty of resolution to make adequately sized prints. However, you still need to make sure the digital camera you buy has enough resolution for the print sizes you want.

Some people prefer larger digital cameras that are easy to hold. Others will want a small, thin model that fits easily in a pocket or purse.

Read through a digital camera glossary to familiarize yourself with all of the terms and features involved with digital cameras. You’ll make a better choice if you have educated yourself.

Figure out how much you want to spend before you reach the store. Once you set a budget, be sure to stick to it.

If you have a newer Windows computer, you should have no problem connecting your digital camera to the computer and downloading your pictures. However, if you own a Macintosh or an older Windows computer, you’ll want to be sure the digital camera you eventually buy can work with those computers.