How to Choose a Digital Camera Gift for Graduates

Graduating students deserve to be rewarded after putting in years of hard  work to finish their studies. Give them the gift of preserving their memories with a digital camera. In this digital age, it’s only fitting to give them one. Choosing the right digital camera, however, can be quite tricky. The first thing you should do when choosing a digital camera is to know what features the recipient will want. Here are some helpful tips:

Resolution

Resolution, or how many megapixels the camera has, is one of the most important factors when choosing a camera. MP doesn’t determine image quality; rather it determines print size quality. In other words, with more MP, you can enlarge the image without losing clarity. A 3MP camera will give you good prints up to 8 x 10, probably sufficient for grads. If you think the gift recipient will use the images mostly online, you can choose a camera with fewer MP.

Size

Size is another important consideration. A sleek and small camera is ideal for a new grad. If you want to see his or her new life as captured in the photo, make sure that the camera you’ll give is one that the recipient will carry conveniently. It’s much easier to slip the camera in a purse or pocket than to carry it around your neck or over your shoulder. If the recipient has a strong interest in photography, get a 35 mm/interchangeable lens camera. You’ll see, you’ll be a hero for this.

Ease of Use

As mentioned, you must know your recipient – what he or she wants – when buying a gift. If the recipient is simply a point-and-shoot type of person, then make sure to buy a camera with automatic settings and one that will make all decisions on its own. However, if the grad is a techno geek and is into fiddling things, then make sure that you get a camera that will allow him or her to adjust settings manually.

Options

Also make sure that the camera has optical zoom lens, removable memory card, option to use rechargeable batteries, and a built-in flash that has a red-eye reduction feature. The camera should also have a glass lens as opposed to a plastic lens, an LCD screen, and an ISO range of at least 400 (you need more if the recipient is into shooting in dim light). 

Price

For many people, price is the major factor when buying gifts, especially gadgets. The price of a 3MP camera can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars for professional models. Always compare prices and camera features and always aim for the best deals. Go online and visit reputable reputable camera stores, watch inserts in the broadsheet, and visit some electronic and camera stores.