The latest developments in photographic equipment, from point-and-shoot to professional-calibre models, make capturing memories easy for everyone.

Newsflash: the camera is not dead. Despite the proliferation of quality cameras in mobile phones, there's still a place for dedicated photographic gear. No phone touchscreen is as easy to use as a camera, and you can add memory cards that have more storage capacity than a phone.

But these days, even buying a simple point-and-shoot camera for $200 (or less!) means comparing a bewildering array of figures and features. Kim Puckeridge, Business Manager of Digital Imaging at Dick Smith Electronics, believes people place too much emphasis on the megapixel count, the measure of resolution.

"Other factors should be a priority," he says. "Zoom is the first to consider."

When comparing cameras, buyers should understand the difference between optical and digital zoom, Puckeridge adds. "Optical zoom is done via the lens, whereas digital zoom is electronic and doesn't give the same effect."

Someone who simply wants to capture family happy snaps can get away with a 4x optical zoom, says Puckeridge, although you can go up to 36x. To catch action on the sporting field, at least 10x optical zoom is recommended.

Whitsundays-based photographer Robert Kellett recommends testing how fast the shutter responds to your click. "Make sure it takes the photo then and there," he says. This will be vital when you're trying to capture fast-moving events as they unfold.

Focus on features

Cameras are fighting off competition from mobile phones, so prices are falling. You could use the savings to upgrade to a model with special features such as water- and shock-proofing. Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FT3 camera, for example, is waterproof to a depth of 12 metres, perfect for snapping underwater scenes on a Great Barrier Reef holiday. It comes with a shock-resistant casing and a lens designed to withstand hits.

New models also feature fun gimmicks such as built-in projectors, so you can share your shots with friends straight away by shining them onto a wall.

Full high-definition video capture is fast becoming the norm in better cameras. This allows you to watch your footage in detailed quality on a flatscreen TV at home. If you plan to use this data-hungry feature, do spend a bit on a memory card with a decent amount of storage.

Cheaper prices mean you can upgrade to a model that will unleash your creative side. If you want more than a point-and-shoot, says Puckeridge, choose a digital SLR (DSLR), the digital version of a classic single-lens reflex, or one of the growing number of ‘compact series' cameras, which, like DSLRs, allow you to change lenses and make manual adjustments.

While the new compacts offer creative licence at a good price, says Puckeridge, a DSLR's ability to change lenses is invaluable. Switching to a larger zoom, for example, means you can capture great shots when you can't get too close to the action.

Hit pics

Professional photographer Robert Kellett nominates three accessories that every budding snapper should have.
A flash Not just for night shots. A flash casts light on your subjects, making them stand out from the background.
A decent lens If you're buying a point-and-shoot model, opt for a trusted brand that has put time and research into its lens technology. If you have a DSLR, a prime lens will produce sharper images.
Software Applications such as Adobe Photoshop "make the impossible possible", says Kellett. A good image-editing program allows you to remove unwanted details such as red eyes from a flash, adjust colour values in washed-out pictures and sharpen up any blurry images.

Safe shooting

Three tips to help keep your camera gear in good nick.
A fall or bump can be bad news for your equipment, so a camera bag is a good investment: particularly an attaché case packed with foam.
Don't leave your lens exposed. With a point-and-shoot, ensure the lens is re-covered as soon as you stop shooting. For a DSLR, use the lens cap to keep dust and other glass-scratching nasties at bay.
If you have an SLR with a good lens, attach a UV filter to it. Should you scratch the filter, you can simply get a new one, which is much cheaper than buying a new lens.