Digital cameras store photos in memory, much like traditional cameras use film. Unlike traditional film, however, digital camera memory is reusable. Initially, memory costs more than traditional film, but lasts longer since it can be reused.

There are two kinds of memory: built-in memory and removable storage memory. Basic digital cameras have a small image storage buffer built into the camera, and once it is filled, you will have to download the saved images to your computer before you can take more pictures.

Most cameras use removable storage memory to record images. The most popular forms of removable storage memory are Compact Flash cards, Sony Memory Sticks, and Smart Media Cards. Most digital cameras come with one 16MB card. The capacity (size) of the image memory storage will determine how many images you can store.

Many digital cameras provide both an optical and a digital zoom. However, using each type of zoom will produce very different quality photos.

Photo quality is not compromised by optical zoom. Digital zooms use internal software applications to magnify (digitally "zoom" in on) and enlarge a small area of the picture, which causes noticeable loss of image quality.

Storing photos on your computer allows you to easily store, edit (e.g., remove red-eye), and e-mail your photos. All digital cameras come with software to download pictures to your computer. Newer computers have USB connections, which makes this process even easier.

Most digital cameras are equipped with a liquid-crystal display (LCD) viewfinder that allows you to see what your picture will look like before you take it. LCD viewfinders also permit you to view saved images and delete the ones that you don't like.

Limited battery life is one of the biggest problems with digital cameras. The more you use the LCD viewfinder, the faster you will go through batteries. Many digital cameras are packed with battery chargers and rechargeable batteries, but some are not. Rechargeable batteries and a charger will typically add from $30 to $100 to the cost of a digital camera.

Many digital cameras include a movie mode feature that lets users shoot very short low-resolution video clips. Shooting short movies with your camera is a lot of fun, but this feature won't replace a camcorder

Most digital cameras include a video-out cable that allows users to connect them to a television, display pictures (or create a slide show), and record pictures to a VHS tape.

Digital cameras have many benefits for consumers, but they are not perfect. Here are some things you should consider before you make a digital camera purchase. Shutter lag (the time it takes from pushing the shutter button until the camera actually takes the picture) is the number one complaint voiced by digital camera users, but most people quickly learn to anticipate the correct moment to snap the picture and avoid shutter lag problems.

Most digital cameras provide a built-in flash to help balance lighting in low light and for night photography. Built-in flash units are convenient, but they have very limited range, low output power, and they contribute to battery drain.