Digital cameras take pictures and then save the images internally without the use of film. Although the quality of digicam images can't compare to those recorded on film, that's not so important to businesses that purchase them. The allure of digital cameras is instant gratification, since users can take a picture and have almost instant access to an electronic image for emailing, printing, or uploading onto a Web site.

In the past, digital cameras were far too expensive to be considered for use outside the realm of professional photographers. In the past couple of years, however, prices have come down quickly, and today a business can arm itself with a camera that produces decent-looking electronic images for a few hundred dollars.

Except for diskette-based models, downloading images involves connecting cables to your computer and installing the manufacturer-provided software. Although software glitches and cable tangles could potentially create more hassles than convenience, once you get the hang of it it's not so bad.

This buying guide is designed to give you the facts you need to purchase the right digital camera for your business. You can choose to read this guide from beginning to end, or jump directly to a section of interest by clicking on the links above.