Advantages: Digital cameras are fast growing in popularity over the old 35mm film cameras. The digital ones are designed to capture and store images digitally rather than on film which has to be developed and processed. With a digital camera you have the option of immediately viewing the picture you just took to see if it came out good.

If not, there's the option of deleting the image and retaking the picture. With the 35 mm film cameras once you took the picture, there was no way of knowing how it turned out until after it's been developed and that's when you realize that Uncle Jimmy's head had been cut off from the picture. With the onset of digital cameras, one can now ensure perfect pictures every time.

Digital also has the added bonus over 35mm in that it's in digital format and stored in a computer rather than on paper or film which grows old and brittle over time. Another feature digital cameras have is that they also have the capability of recording sounds and videos as well as pictures. Imagine being able to record your baby's precious laugh as you're taking pictures without having to run for the video camera.

Types

Video Cameras The main purpose of these are to record actual moving images. Aside from the professional video camera used in professional movie productions, there are the camcorders and webcams. The camcorder is generally used by the general public to capture memorable pictures and sounds of their lives.

One can watch playback directly from a liquid crystal display on the camcorder itself or connect it to their television set or computer for viewing. Webcams are cameras that are attached to computers and usually used to view the person you are communicating with via instant messaging.

Live-preview Digital Camera One has the ability to frame and preview a photo before taking the picture. These have the capability of making mini movies although they're typically used for small spur of the moment type of filming as the quality is not quite as good as an actual camcorder. These are divided into two different types of categories

Compact Digital Camera Small and easy to carry, these cameras are widely popular with the majority of amateur photographers. An excellent camera for capturing personal moments to be cherished for years to come. Due to having a smaller zoom capability than your DSLR cameras and a larger range of depth to be in focus, professional photographers tend to think the images are flat looking.

Bridge Cameras Similar to SLR type of cameras, these share the advanced features of the DSLRs while still sharing the live-preview capability and smaller sensor sizes of the compact camera. They provide zoom lens capability to allow some creativity in taking photos. Bridge cameras are considered in a class that falls between the compact and the professional DSLRs.
Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera (DSLRs)

These professional cameras allow for greater flexibility in photographing subjects with interchangeable lens, sensor size and quality, control among many other features. With the DSLRs one has the capability of taking professional looking photographs and the ability to resize to larger views for professional looking pictures.

Whatever your needs are, you are sure to find a digital camera to fit your lifestyle.