On the topic of buying a camera, I must warn you, I am biased toward quality. As a result, my first recommendation for you is to find a local camera dealer and spend some time in the shop, looking and browsing. The camera specialty stores have trained staff that are usually photographers, themselves, and the shops are typically certified and authorized dealers for the equipment that they sell and repair. They will will also let you hold the product and will explain all the controls. Be prepared to answer the question, "what kind of pictures do you want to take?"
Avoid the department stores and big-lots stores, at least until you become educated. The department stores are typically authorized dealers, but the staff is trained to sell a little bit of everything and may not have the skills or knowledge beyond what they read on the glossy product brochures. When you have become educated about the various products, you may be tempted to buy a great deal. Consider this: when you walk out, the giant department store no longer knows you.
Which camera style should you purchase? If you have a recent vintage camera phone, learn to use it. If you prefer a separate camera, then you have many choices. There are point-and-shoot models; there are 4/3 cameras; there are mirror-less models; there are models that take movies; there are models with more pixels and fewer pixels; and there are DSLR's. In short, there are so many products that the choices are overwhelming. Generally, you cannot go wrong, if you choose something from Canon or Nikon. There are other good manufacturers, but, like I said, I am biased toward quality.
Stay tuned for Part 2.
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