Nikon Coolpix P500 Digital Camera - Black (12MP CMOS, 36 x Optical Zoom) 3 inch LCD

There's nothing like the feel of a large, bulky digital SLR sitting on a tripod as you take the perfect photograph, a snapshot of a perfect moment. The only problem with this scenario is the size. You're not going to slip a professional camera into your pocket, and by default, you're going to miss a lot of great shots; those that happen spontaneously. That's where a compact point and shoot digital camera comes into its own.

If you are new to photography and looking for a good value point & click compact camera to get the ball rolling, then the Samsung ES55 digi-cam could be worth a look.

Our Digital Camera Buying Advice offers a complete buying guide for anyone in the market for a new digital camera, whether they happen to be novice or expert. Any questions at the end? Just let us know....Camera TypesYour budget, experience and requirements will all combine to tell you the type of digital camera that will be best for you....CompactCompact cameras are small, light cameras that range from enthusiast cameras to simple point and click cameras. They do not offer interchangeable lenses. They do not contain mirrors, and so the image seen in the viewfinder will not be exactly the same as the final image taken, though many these days contain an LCD viewing screen. The sensor size is smaller than a DSLR so the image quality may be less.BridgeIf you're looking for manual control functions or a large zoom lens, but you don't fancy the bulk and expense of a digital SLR, then a bridge camera is the perfect solution.HybridMicro system cameras (also called hybrid camera) combine the interchangeable-lens benefits of DSLRs with the size and portability of compact cameras. They use the same sensors and processors as DSLRs but don't have the same viewing system, of a focusing screen, mirror and prism assembly, and as a consequence are significantly more compact.DSLRThe D in DSLR stands for digital. The letters 'SLR' stand for 'single lens reflex' and refer to the viewing system, in which light passes through the lens, is bounced off a mirror into a prism, where it is turned right-way-round for viewing, so the viewer sees what the lens is seeing. The most main feature of SLRs (though it isn't unique to them) is that the lenses are interchangeable, enabling the user to fit lenses designed for specific tasks.Camera FeaturesNow we will take a look at the kind of features to look out for when buying a new camera....Mega pixelsYou would think that a 6MP camera would produce better images than a 5MP one but that is not always the case. Mega pixels are a measure of quantity (the amount of data captured), not quality. A digital camera's image quality is not based solely on mega pixels, but on an entire system and pixel size is more important than pixel number. The bigger the pixel size the better detail they can record. Larger sensors generally have a greater dynamic range, higher sensitivity, and a better signal-to-noise ratio, mainly as they have more room for bigger, light-sensitive pixels.Image qualityImage quality is a more useful measure than the number of mega pixels. Most digital cameras will produce good images, with color, sharpness, and dynamic range that will satisfy most people. If all you want to do is e-mail your photos or make small or low quality prints at home then any digital camera will do. However, if you want good quality professionally looking 8x10 prints or larger, then the camera’s image quality is very important. Make sure you tell the sales person what you intend to do with the images so that you will be shown the most appropriate camera for your needs. A good guide is to go for at least 3MP or better and ask about image quality.SpeedMost digital cameras take time to start up and be ready to shoot and they a recycle time between each shot. This is annoying if you need to take photos fast and shoot a number of frames very quickly. Always test out a camera's speed in the retail outlet before you buy.FunctionsTaking digital pictures can be as simple as pointing the camera and pressing the shutter button. But digital camera models are available that provide as much control over exposure, color, dynamic range, and so on as you choose to use. It is recommended that you choose a camera that has the key features that you might actually use and takes better images, rather then one that has a ton of features but takes poorer quality images.StyleAlways take some time to practice holding a prospective camera in-store to get a feel for how comfortable it is to use. How does it feel? Is it big enough, or light enough? Does it feel sturdy or flimsy? Are the controls easy to reach and understand? Are menus easy to understand and navigate? And finally, how stylish does the camera look - and is this important to you?Camera AccessoriesThere are a host of extras that you may want to splash on and all will give you that extra bit of room for creativity. Here are the main kind of accessories you might find....Memory CardsEssential for storing lots of photos and makes transferring files to your PC for working on afterwards a doddle. If you are shooting lots of photos or using your camera to record video, make sure your memory card is as large as possible.Photo FramesGreat for showing off the results of your photography skills - and they also make great presents.BatteriesEnsure you have a back-up supply of batteries if you are on an intensive shoot - and especially if you are shooting video.FiltersGreat for adding different effects to your photography, filters will help you get those creative juices flowing.FlashgunsIf the flash on your camera isn't giving you what you need, you may want to grab an external flash gun to shine a bit more light on proceedings.TripodsEssential for those moments when you need a steady hand.Bags and CasesCameras are expensive pieces of kit - make sure you protect them by spending part of your budget on a decent bag or case.Digital Camera Jargon BusterApertureThe aperture adjusts the opening in the lens that allows light to pass and, when it changes size, it affects the focus and the exposure of the image you are shooting.Auto focus'Auto focus' is fairly self-explanatory - it automatically focuses the lens on the subject you are shooting.Digital zoomThis makes the centre of the image you are shooting larger. Be aware that this is only a digital enlargement, so your image  sharpness and resolution can be affected.ExposureExposure describes the amount of light your camera allows in while you are shooting. When light is exposed to the image, you have your finished picture.eXtreme Digital (xD) MemoryIf you buy an Olympus or Fuji camera, you will become aware of xD Memory cards, as they use them to store the images you shoot.Face detectionFace detection software can automatically detect human faces and focus in on them to ensure the right exposure for excellent shots.Frames per secondQuite simply, the faster you want to shoot your subject, the higher frames per second you will need your camera to shoot at.Image stabilisationShaky hands? Go for image stabilisation to reduce the blur in your photos.ISOISO describes your camera's sensitivity to light. Higher ISO numbers allow you to take clearer pictures low-light settings, or when your subject is moving at high speed.LCD screenLCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. LCD screens are normally located at the back of your camera and show your subject as it will appear on the actual photographs.Lithium ion batteryUnlike many batteries from the past, Lithium ion (or Li-ion) batteries don't require a full discharge before being charged again and have a relatively high power capacity - meaning more juice for your camera.Megapixel (MP)The amount of pixels that are in the image your camera shoots are very important to the image's resolution - in general, the more pixels, the better. One megapixel (MP) is equal to a million pixels and anything over 5MP is pretty much standard these days, even on smartphones.Memory Stick (MS) Pro/DuoSony's own-brand memory stick - Procards let you shoot at high speed and Duocards tend to be found in smartphones.Optical zoomIf you're keen to get close to your subject, then look for optical zoom, as it has all the benefits of normal zoom, but without the loss of image quality. 5x optical is standard, but the more the better.PictBridgePictBridge has been developed as an industry standard method of printing photos directly from your camera, wirelessely.Red-eye reductionOne of the effects of your camera's flash is that it can sometimes produce 'red-eye' - that glaring, sometimes demonic brightness you sometimes see in portraits. Red-eye reduction does its best to get rid.Secure Digital (SD) MemoryAnother memory card format, said to slowly becoming the standard.Shutter speedShutter speed describes exactly how long your camera's shutter stays open when it takes a photo. Higher shutter speeds will catch moving subjects nicely, but if you want a little bit of a blur effect, then keep your shutter speed a bit lower.SLRSLR stands for 'single lens reflex'. SLR cameras have changeable lenses, allowing you to get the best shots possible and also experiment with different styles.USBUSB acts as an interface between your computer and any other device you may use alongside it -  digital cameras, phones or printers, for example - and is used for transferring files and data, such as photos and movies.

Stuck with any of the tech jargon you encounter while looking for a new camera? Then this glossary of terms should help.....