Get a good digital camera for less

We show you how to get the best possible camera at the lowest possible price.

Over the last few weeks, I've been trying to teach myself how to be a better photographer. Amongst other things, that meant buying new equipment, so I spent hours finding out how to get a good quality digital camera at the best possible price.

Here, I'm going to pass what I learnt on to you. I'm not a professional photographer (far from it!). However, if you're a beginner wanting to take holiday snaps - or an enthusiastic amateur about to take the next step up the camera ladder - I can point you in the right direction.

What sort of camera?

There is now an enormous range of digital cameras on the market, and they vary hugely in price. If you're not sure what level of camera you're after, do lots of research before going anywhere near a shop!

That way, you'll avoid buying a camera that's either a.) cheap, but too basic to meet your needs or b.) very expensive with lots of features that you're never going to use.

Simply put, digital cameras fall into three main categories:

• Standard compact: You should be able to get a very decent one of these for under £150.
• Super Zoom compact: My choice - you can get a good one for well under £300.
• Digital SLR (which stands for digital single-lens reflex camera): These start at around £300, with some costing over £1,000. Extra lenses start at around £80 each.

These are rough price brackets based on RRP (recommended retail price). For a good clear explanation of what each type of camera does (and how to use the features they offer) I recommend investing in The Ultimate Guide to Digital Photography (3rd edition), a very useful 'magbook' edited by David Fearon.

It will set you back £7.99, but in my case at least, that was £7.99 very well spent! For reviews of many of the latest camera models, the Which? Complete Guide to HDTV, Audio & Photography - on sale at the moment - is also worth a look.

Online customer reviews (like those on Amazon) can be really helpful too. They'll help you decide whether a particular model is as good as the marketing blurb suggests, highlighting snags and drawbacks that you may not have thought of.

The secondhand option

If you're willing to buy a camera secondhand, you'll find hundreds on sale at the usual secondhand hotspots: eBay, Amazon Marketplace, Gumtree and Preloved - to name but a few.

Personally, I'd be wary of spending a significant amount of cash on a secondhand camera, particularly one I couldn't view and handle beforehand. If you do decide to go down this road, make sure you understand exactly what refund options are on offer if the camera you choose isn't up to the standards described.

For comparison purposes, these are your rights when you buy something new.

Having said that, I've picked up some great camera accessories in charity shops (including several £1 photography books and a good quality tripod for £6) so it's definitely worth having a root around for those.

If, like me, you'd prefer to buy your camera new, here are some tips to ensure you get the one you're after at the best possible price:

Use price comparison sites

As always, you'll save money by shopping around as much as possible. Price comparison sites like Kelkoo and PriceRunner can make this process much less painful; they scour those retailers with an online presence to find out where to get the item you want at the cheapest price.

It's a good idea to use several comparison sites, as each one covers a slightly different selection of retailers. And it's worth checking retailers directly, too, in case they're not covered by comparison sites at all.

Good places to find a digital camera include Amazon, Jessops, John Lewis, CDiscountUK, Play, Digital Direct, Pixmania and The Digital Camera Company.

These retailers all operate slightly different returns and refund policies, so as always, do read the relevant small print before you flash your cash.

Understand what's included

Before you choose a camera, you need to find out exactly what is and isn't included in the package. For example, mine came with a rechargeable battery and charger, but without a memory card or case (which, when you're paying nearly £300, can seem a tad mean).

Choosing a model with a rechargeable battery could save you a packet in the long run (digital cameras tend to run down AA batteries very quickly).

And make sure you shop around for accessories, as well as the camera itself. I found the same memory card priced at £3.99 and £15.99!

Cut through the sales chat

It's worth politely querying the impartiality of any shop floor salesman. I asked for advice in one camera shop (which sold a wide range of brands) and was given an impressively detailed analysis of the 'best' camera in my price range - a Canon.

It was only when I asked the salesman for advice on other models that he admitted he didn't know, because he was a Canon representative.

Consider cashback

If you buy your camera via a cashback website or using a cashback credit card, you could recoup some of the cost. Read Earn cashback on everything! to find out more.

A final warning

Once you have that camera in your mitts, get it insured straight away. I made sure it was covered under the personal possessions section of my home insurance policy, so I can claim for it if it's stolen while I'm out and about.

Don't wait until it's too late!

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