Everyone knows, that technology shrinks everything, and digital camera technology is no exception. The small, the better . . . right? Wrong! Smaller is not necessarily better, it’s just smaller.

Consumers have a preoccupation with small though. Ever since Captain Kirk said “beam me up Scott” and Dick Tracey started sporting his little video phone wrist watch, people have been fascinated with technology gone small. Digital photography continues to follow the trend, and I can’t help but tag along.

We’re going to say away from the whole ultra tiny “James Bond” type spy camera stuff for now, so you’ll have to read elsewhere if you want to keep tabs on that wandering spouse of yours. I digress.

Online is a great place for price comparison shopping. There are literally hundreds of sites, that do nothing buy compare prices for every make and model of digital camera available. Armed with these prices the informed consumer has a definite advantage when they visit their local digital camera store.

But, the internet can’t give you everything you need in your search for the perfect digital camera. Specifically and most importantly, you can’t pick up and hold a digital camera without actually going to a real world store.

Holding a camera in your hands, and getting a good feel for the weight, the look, and the controls can only be done in person. Take a few pictures (inside and outside) while your at it, just for good measure.

I’ve always believed buying the top digital camera today was a mistake. You usually end up paying too much, and are far more likely to end up being a guinea pig for Canon, Nikon, Sony or whomever builds your favorite brand name camera.

I prefer to stay one or two steps away from the bleeding edge. that way you get a proven and tested product, often at a considerable prices saving over the latest golly-gee whiz-bang features of the new models.

The internet and the real world both have advantages and disadvantages when it comes to buying your next digital camera. The best digital camera store, is really the one your create, by merging the best characteristics of both the bricks and the clicks universe.

As a final note, don’t just order a ultra compact digital camera online, without holding one in your grubby little paws. Small cameras especially need to be held and tried out to make sure they feel comfortable and usable for perspective buyers.