General Camera Information for a Beginner

Hey,
I was wondering, being a new member and all, and having taken an interest in photography, if you would answer me a few questions, many thanks.
1. Where can I find a site which shows the highest rated cameras and such?
2. What are the most important features of a digital camera and how would they be expressed if I were to buy a camera?

I know these questions may take time to answer, but I do appreciate the help.

--slash131--

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Originally Posted by slash131

Hey,
I was wondering, being a new member and all, and having taken an interest in photography, if you would answer me a few questions, many thanks.
1. Where can I find a site which shows the highest rated cameras and such?
2. What are the most important features of a digital camera and how would they be expressed if I were to buy a camera?

I know these questions may take time to answer, but I do appreciate the help.

--slash131--

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The answers to both of your questions can be found HERE

How about this here site! You should be able to find just about anything you need to know here at Photography Review.

Top 200 Digital Cameras >>
Professional Digital Camera Reviews >>
Read and Write Digital Camera Reviews >>

Camera Lessons
http://photographyreview.webphotoschool.com/

Buying Guides/How To's
http://www.photographyreview.com/Learncrx.aspx

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1. Where can I find a site which shows the highest rated cameras and such?

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This site!
DP Review, check out the buyers guide it allows side by side comparison, very cool.
Digital Camera Resource Page.
Bob Atkin's site, biased toward Canon but good info
Photo.net
Not a complete list, but these sites will keep you busy for a while.

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2. What are the most important features of a digital camera and how would they be expressed if I were to buy a camera?

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Important features depend on a lot of things:
-What are you shooting? Sports(fast lens, large zoom, maybe IS)Landscape(true wide angle)Kids(good flash, fast lens, med. zoom)Etc. Etc.
-Size? what are you willing carry? it doesn't matter if you have a great camera that is so big you never take it anywhere with you.
-Features? are you looking for simple, just point and shoot? Do you want creative control? Auto modes plus manual modes? Do you want the ability to connect an external flash, or is the deer in the headlights look of the built in flash good enough? Zoom, ignore digital zoom, you can do the same thing later in your computer.
-Brand? everyone has a favorite.



My favorites right now:
Point and shoot:
subcompact:
Canon SD500
compact:
Panasonic FZ5, Canon S2 IS
semi bulky
Canon G series, Panasonic FZ20
DSLR:
Entry level: Nikon D50, Canon 300D
Enthusiast: Nikon D70, Canon 350D(blurs the line, kind of entry level, but very full featured), Canon 20D(class of this field IMO)