Compact Digital Cameras

Basic Cameras

Ease of use is your number one priority. Automatic everything is what's called for, so manual control over exposure and focus isn't a priority.
Batteries go flat over time, so being able to replace them easily or recharge them quickly is important. A good flash is essential.
Stick with the lower cost cameras. A camera with 2 to 3 megapixels will be sufficient for reasonable quality, standard-sized prints or images.

Keen Snapper

If you like to keep a camera handy and like sharing your images/photos, you might like to go up a level a 3 to 6 megapixel camera would be a good choice
Features to look for include:

• Auto image quality
• Ease of use
• Versatility
• Battery life
• Good flash
• Accurate monitor/viewfinder
• Minimum shutter delay

Traveling

If you use a camera for trips and major events and need it to cope with difficult photographic situations, look for the following in your camera.

• Ideally 8 + megapixels
• Auto image quality
• Versatility, manual as well as auto settings
• Battery, a rechargeable battery would be an ideal option
• Good flash
• Accurate monitor/viewfinder
• Minimum shutter delay
Also worth considering when traveling would be a compact waterproof camera

General Camera Body Maintenance.

When cleaning your camera body, use a clean, dry cloth. Never use harsh or abrasive cleaning products on the camera or any of its parts as this will cause damage which may never be repairable.

Cleaning Your Camera

Use a Blow Brush they are inexpensive and a great little accessory. When cleaning your camera keeping the lens clean is essential. The most important thing you can do to preserve the condition of the lens is to not touch it with your fingers! When cleaning the lens, the viewfinder or LCD, point your camera downward. To remove dust and unseen grit, squeeze the end of the brush. Bursts of air come through the soft bristles. Next, lightly wipe the lens, etc. with a soft, dry cloth or lens cleaning paper. When needed, wipe the lens with a few drops of lens cleaning fluid. For a better clean it's a good idea to put the fluid on the lens cleaning paper and not directly onto the lens

Camera Battery Care

Camera Battery Care
For all Digital and Film cameras
Do not expose your camera batteries to temperatures above 110 degrees F
(43 degrees C). Example, leaving batteries in your car in the hot summer sun can result in permanent damage. Your best solution is to store them in a place that is cool and dry.
Never overcharge the batteries.
Recharge your batteries before or after long-term storage, as batteries discharge over time, and if not recharged they could leak and corrode the camera.
It is also advisable to not mix old and new batteries or batteries of different types