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It gets pretty confusing when buying a digital camera because there are so many good choices. With so many digital cameras on the market today, you’d better know some basic information before buy your digital camera. Here are 6 common buyer and user mistakes, and try to avoid them.

1. Buy the most expensive camera over your budget. It is a wise decision not to spend too much money on a digital camera if you are a first time user. If you are a first time user, you needn’t buy an advanced digital SLR with lots of manual controls. You can choose one that costs less and fits your budget with proper features and functions of your choice. Once you master of all the controls, go for an update.

2. The more megapixels, the better. In fact, a camera with more megapixels isn't always better. The number of pixels in a photo determines how much you can enlarge the picture without losing image quality. If your camera supports more megapixels, then each photo you take will be larger. This means that you'll use up more space on your memory cards and computer's hard drive. If you plan to share images by email and make prints up to size 5x7", 2 megapixels is sufficient. If you want to email photos and make prints up to 8x10", then opt for 3 megapixels. If the ability to print professional-quality images in all sizes is what you're after, then you'll need a 4 or 5 megapixels camera.

3. Be tricked by digital and optical zoom. Many salesmen will tell you “Multiply a 3X Digital Zoom by a 4X Optical Zoom, and you have a 12X Zoom factor”. It is completely misleading number. Optical Zoom is the only thing that's important. An optical zoom will appear to bring distant objects impressively close, while digital zoom simply enlarges a section of the image.

4. Not buying additional memory or rechargeable batteries. In an effort to keep their prices lower, manufacturers package cameras with memory cards that may hold as few as 8 images at the camera's highest JPEG resolution. So bring extra memory cards, and always have more than you think you’ll need. Similarly, the number of pictures you take, how long you view images on the LCD screen, and how many times you use the flash will affect your camera battery’s longevity. So rechargeable battery is a must for the camera.

5. Compose the picture in the optical viewfinder and it shows everything. Actually, it depends. If you are using DSLR or DSLR-like camera with electronic viewfinder (EFV) this sentence is almost correct. If your compact camera has an optical viewfinder, it likely will cut off a substantial amount of the picture along the edges.

6. Buying Overpriced Accessories. Some online retailers will sell you a camera at an attractive price, and then pressure you into to buying grossly-expensive accessories. Know what accessories you would like to use and what other devices you want to connect to your camera, such as an HDTV to view your photos, in order to make sure it has the right inputs and outputs.