The odds are very likely that you either use a digital single-lens-re flex (SLR) camera, a compact digicam, or a cellular camera phone. As these are three very different kinds of cameras, it's important for you understand the limitations and advantages of each type.

Digital SLR cameras tend to be big and bulky. The three digital SLR features that we most enjoy are: (1) the ability to use a variety of lens; (2) the advantage of a viewfinder that shows exactly what the camera sensor sees; and (3) the ease with which we can change aperture and shutter speed.

This is not to impugn those of you with compact digicams. In addition to usually being less expensive than SLRs, digicams are extremely easy to carry with youfitting into your shirt pocket or purse. They streamline the picture-taking process by giving you everything you need in one small package and by offering a variety of automatic features. The highest quality digicams can create pictures that are just as good or better than images from some digital SLRs. Most importantly, because they're much more compact, digicams tend to travel with their owners more often. That's keyyou need to bring your camera everywhere you go because . . . well... it tends to come in handy when taking pictures.

Cellular camera phones are extremely convenient and are great for those who simply want to have fun and share photos with friends and family. Instead of carrying around two itemsa camera and a phoneyou get to combine them into one ultracompact accessory. Camera phones have been limited in the past, but as the technology advances, the better models will feature more creative controls and functions.