Features to consider

Zoom lens or fixed lens: Zoom lenses have slower apertures that produce soft pictures when taken from a distance. To get around this, get closer to your subject and skip the zoom. However, if you are going to be taking many pictures from a distance, or just want to have the option to do so, a zoom lens is your best bet. If a zoom is essential, try a 28–90mm or 38–115mm zoom lens. You rarely need a longer, slower lens.

Flash modes: Most cameras have auto-flash and red-eye reduction. Other, newer options include night flash, fill-flash, flash-off, and portrait modes that can prevent washed-out or shadowy pictures.

The viewfinder: Some cameras have adjustable viewfinders that correct for vision problems and enable you to see subjects more clearly.

Weather-resistant or waterproof: Some cameras resist sand, dust, and raindrops – but not a dunking. Only a few are truly submersible, and they are more costly. Unless you are planning to do lots of underwater diving, opt for a weather-resistant camera.

The lens: Most photographers demand a sharp, fast lens. These lenses have low f/numbers and produce better photos in low-light conditions. A faster f/2.8 or f/3.5 lens will capture better non-flash pictures than an f/4.5 or f/5.6 lens. Fully extended, f/9, f/10, or f/11 zoom lenses work best in daylight. A glass lens offers more resolving power than plastic, and thus results in sharper images.

Red-eye reduction: Red-eye reduction is common in this class of camera. Many P/S models use a flip-up flash to tame red eye. Others use a rapid pre-flash, but that may unnerve some subjects.

Spot-metering: You can set some Olympus, Yashica, Minolta, and other cameras to adjust exposure for backlighted subjects. Many photographers find this option better than auto-backlight control.

Remote control: Some manufacturers offer a tiny remote, however a self-timer is usually adequate.

Auxiliary viewfinders: Some models offer a second viewfinder on top of the camera for aiming at subjects from waist-level. This feature provides great pictures of children at play.

Date imprint: Many 35mm cameras will print the date on the negative. This date will also appear in your snapshots. You can usually opt to turn this feature off to omit the date.

Portrait mode: A few cameras offer a pre-set lens length and exposure mode for head-and-shoulder portraits. It is useful for pictures of people, but not landscapes or action photos.

Panoramic mode: Other cameras offer this option for wide-angle landscape shots, or action photos.

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