In some cases, small cameras can succeed where large cameras fail. Yes, that large SLR with the eye-catching zoom may be a first class camera, but it won't do you any good unless you carry it around. One should never underestimate the importance of a small camera, and particularly those that can fit in your pocket. It's the small cameras which are undeniably the best for taking spontaneous shots.

A large SLR camera will always deliver better quality than a small compact camera. With that said, if you're carrying a compact digital around with you, you can have it out and snapping in a second.

It simply cannot be denied that Canon makes great cameras, with practically all their cameras receiving good reviews. The last two and a half or so years have been especially good for Canon, as they've released one best seller after the next.

From the diminutive PowerShot ELPHs to the EOS line of digital SLR cameras, Canon has invested a tremendous amount of time in the designing stages, but of course it has paid off. There is probably not a single photographer in the world today that hasn't heard of Canon cameras.

Whether your top priority is design, quality, or price, Canon will always be able to deliver. Sure there have been one or two duds along the way, such as the Canon A70 for example, but the company soon addressed the design flaws and the new models no long seem to have those black lines across their screens

Kodak makes great, easy-to-use cameras. When I bought my mother her first digital camera, I chose a Kodak, having read countless reviews that raved about their user-friendly controls. The reviews were right-Kodak's EasyShare digital cameras are remarkably easy to use: the menus are simple, the LCD text large and clear, and the controls largely self-explanatory.

Many of the high-end EasyShare models offer a complete suite of manual controls for those who consider themselves to be ambitious photographers. Let's just say that while Kodak cameras are generally very easy to use, they are certainly reserved only for beginners.

Find & use a simple photo editing program. Most digital photographers will never take the time to master expensive and powerful photo editing programs like Adobe Photoshop or Jasc Paint Shop Pro-these programs are too complex and time-consuming for all but the most dedicated photographers.

Fortunately for those of us who are not computer geniuses, there are also a number of easy to use photo editing programs capable of enhancing your images.

My favorite program is Picasa, and it is absolutely free at www.picasa.com. With Picasa you can perform all the basic editing tasks like sharpening, contrast correction, cropping, and straightening-most with just the touch of a button.

Spend a few minutes on your best photographs and you will be amazed at the results. Picasa also make it incredibly easy to organize your best shots so you don't have to sift through hundreds of unwanted pictures to find your prizewinners.