Cell Phone Digital Camera

• Many cell phones are equipped with digital cameras.Young man taking pictures with a mobile phone camera image by citylights from Fotolia.com
  
  Many people already have a digital camera on their cell phones. While they usually don't feature zoom lenses like point-and-shoot cameras, the digital cameras on cell phones are all many people ever need for casual shapshooting.
  
  

Point-and-Shoot Camera

• Point-and-shoot digital cameraphoto camera image by A74.FR Ben Fontaine from Fotolia.com
  
  For most people, a point-and-shoot digital camera provides everything a snapshooter needs. These cameras do not require users to attach additional accessories or interchangeable lenses in order to use the camera. Batteries for these cameras are usually rechargeable, and the camera comes with a USB cable for uploading photos to the computer after shooting. These cameras are the smallest and most compact of all digital cameras on the market, but some are larger than others.
  
  One of the largest selling points for these cameras is the number of megapixels each camera has. Cameras with a high megapixel count produce technically-superior images (because larger enlargements from their images are possible) than those with a low megapixel count. For most consumers, however, a camera with a low-megapixel count (2 to 5 megapixels) is sufficient because it will produce images that can be enlarged to 5x7 inch prints without any reduction in image quality. For more information on megapixels, see "The Megapixel Myth" in the Resources section of this article.
  
  

Consumer Digital SLR

• Snapshooter with a digital SLRPhotographer with camera image by Studio Pookini from Fotolia.com
  
  For the more advanced amateur photographer, a digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera is the next step up from a point-and-shoot. These cameras are available as less-expensive consumer-grade models or professional models. Consumer-level digital SLR cameras are appropriate for those whose photographic needs require the use of multiple lenses of varying focal lengths. These cameras are slightly more expensive than most point-and-shoot cameras and have a higher megapixel count. Purchase one of these if you need speed because with a digital SLR there is no lag time between when you release the shutter and when the picture is taken. With a point-and-shoot, you usually have to wait a moment.
  
  

Professional Digital SLR

• Professional digital SLRs are more expensive than consumer cameras, but they provide more features.photographer image by sasha from Fotolia.com
  
  Professional photographers' needs require the use of more robust, feature-laden equipment, and professional digital SLRs provide more megapixels and the ability to use more external flash equipment than consumer cameras. While more expensive than point-and-shoot cameras and consumer SLRs, many amateurs purchase professional digital SLR cameras because they enjoy the technically-superior image quality those cameras produce (10 or more megapixels).
  
  

Medium Format

• Medium format digital cameras are larger than a digital SLR.retro 50s camera image by Graf_es from Fotolia.com
  
  While large and not particularly useful for photographers who are taking shots on the go, medium format digital cameras provide unparalleled image quality when making large enlargements. They are often used for landscape photography when employing a tripod for longer exposures. These are the most expensive cameras available to consumers.