There are several ways you can go about figuring what the best digital camera is. One of those, is not that desirable, and requires you spending money on cameras that may not be that great. If your willing to take a risk, you could just walk into any old camera store at your mall, and ask the clerk to make a recommendation. If your a little bit lucky, and get a salesman that knows what they're talking about, you could walk out with a good digital camera. Or, you may not.

A better way (at least in my opinion), would be to spend some time doing research, reading camera reviews, talking to friends who are photographers, and taking a few cameras for a test drive. While you may get multiple answers for the different sources, I suspect you will get a lot of the same answers. Those will be the ones that count. Some of the camera suggestions you get will also be based solely on personal opinion. These you will have to discern for yourself and form your own opinions.

Personally, I prefer the second approach, and here are a few pointers to get you started.

If you've got the money, consider buying a "body only" SLR camera and then shopping around for a couple of good lenses.

If your looking for low resolution, point and click simplicity in a camera that produces pictures good enough for viewing on your computer or websites, then don't spend more than $300 at the most.

If however you plan on becoming the next Pulitzer prize winning photographer for National Geographic, then get your self a top of the line SLR camera. Something like a Nikon D90 or Canon 5D would be a good start.

Allow room in your budget for extra accessories when pricing out cameras. You'd be surprised, how quickly camera bags, memory cards, lens, battery chargers, extra batteries, filters, and dust cleaning kits can add up to.