How we test: digital cameras: A camera's specs tell a mere fraction of the story; the quality of images it produces, how fast it operates, and how long the battery lasts can be determined only by putting a camera through its photographic paces. Find out how CNET tests digital cameras. Digital cameras have the balance of quality, features, and price that appeals to users looking for a fast and ( Digital camera ) convenient way to get images into their PC. You can spend a lot more -- or a lot less -- for one than the $100 to $3000 (or even more) these cost, but you won't like the quality at the low end or the prices at the high end. With digital cameras, the best place to be is in the middle. No other image-capture option ( Digital camera ) for your computer matches the fun, immediacy, and convenience of a digital camera. Unlike with a scanner, you don't need an preexisting image: A digital camera lets you capture what you see. And unlike film-to-disk services, development is instantaneous: You don't have to wait hours or days before you can use an image on your computer ( Digital camera ) . Digital cameras have the balance of quality, features, and price that appeals to users looking for a fast and convenient way to get images into their PC. ( Digital camera ) You can spend a lot more -- or a lot less -- for one than the $100 to $3000 (or even more) these cost, but you won't like the quality at the low end or the prices at the high end. With digital cameras, the best place to be is in the middle ( Digital camera ). Operating a digital camera is also inexpensive, because the only recurring cost is batteries. The camera's storage is reusable once you download a batch of images. And since you don't have to pay for film processing, you can go wild ( Digital camera ). Unfortunately, many digital camera manufacturers refuse to share their camera communication specifications with their customers and millions of users who run free operating systems. ( Digital camera ) This is a big obstacle to development of free photo applications, and it blocks free software developers from writing free programs, that support the same features as the proprietary digital camera programs for Microsoft ( Digital camera ) Windows and MacOS that usually are shipped with the camera. It renders the camera quite useless if you don't run one of those proprietary operating systems ( Digital camera ). Most people who buy a digital camera are disappointed when they try to take photos of family and friends with their new camera. Just because they have bought a digital camera the rules of lighting haven’t changed and lessons learned by many in the past ( Digital camera ) with film cameras still largely apply. ( Digital camera ) The main problem in both cases is that the cameras have built-in flash units which are too close to the lens, and this is even worse with the ultra-small cameras now on the market. While many digital cameras look just like regular point-and-shoot film cameras, they don't use film. Instead they record your image on a small photoelectric semiconductor called a Charge Coupled Device, or CCD. The CCD turns the image into tiny electronic dots, or pixels, which are stored in the camera's memory bank. Instead of developing the images, you transfer them to your computer, where they show up as standard files that can be used by desktop publishing or graphics programs. Once you've captured the photo, you can edit it to your heart's content. Change the brightness, contrast and color balance, eliminate red-eye and erase blemishes. Many standard graphics programs can control the camera directly and import photos in a few seconds. In addition, cameras come with software that will let you preview your pictures and download only the ones you want. Advantages of digital cameras Convenience. You don't need to buy film, stop at the photofinisher or use a scanner. When you've taken your pictures, you can work with them on your PC immediately. Cost. Digital cameras aren't cheap, but if you take a lot of pictures for Web pages or business use, you'll save on film and developing, and avoid the hassle or cost of scanning. Flexibility. Most digital cameras let you view the pictures you've taken on an LCD screen. If you don't like the shot you've just snapped, you can erase it and shoot again