The Different Body Styles of Digital Cameras

From Ultra Compact to a full on Professional Digital SLRs - which style and size of digital camera is right for you?

Ultra Compact Digital Cameras
Forgetting the tiny novelty cameras and cameras on your mobile phone, Ultra Compact Digital Cameras can be quite stylish. They will fit easily into a small handbag or slip into your jacket pocket without creating an ugly bulge. They are ideal for taking to parties and on holiday, where you have access to power points, as this size of camera is almost always powered by a slim rechargeable proprietary battery. Don't forget your charger.

Compact Digital Cameras
This is by far the most versatile range of cameras on the market. They come in many shapes and sizes: from just about Ultra size to cameras with large chunky handles and fold out screens that swivel and tilt, and from round cameras to flat square cameras. This range also has the biggest choice when it comes to batteries, and it's no wonder why so many shoppers get confused. The choice and price range is huge.

Ultra Zooms
Although they are still classed as compact digital cameras, I feel they should be in a class of their own as they look like mini digital SLRs. These cameras have a large optical zoom lens; about x10 or more. The better ones offer some sort of image stabilising feature. A must for long zoom shots. Again, super zooms offer a range of features that many professionals would be glad to have. The battery choice again is mixed with some manufactures opting for proprietary batteries whilst other give you the AA choice.

Digital SLR Cameras
For the very keen amature or professional photogapher, digital SLRs give you the option to change lenses and have all the features of a normal 35mm film SLR.