Snap Up Savings on Digital Cameras -- Savings Experiment

It's great to have a digital camera to capture all of your memories, but you may be paying for more than you need. Here's how to determine whether your smartphone camera is enough.

While digital cameras offer plenty of attractive features and come in convenient pocket sizes, the right camera may be right in your phone. Sure, digital cameras shoot with higher megapixels and have more lens options, but these pricier gadgets are usually too much for average photographer.

If you usually view your photos on a computer without printing them, 8 megapixels are all you need. Most of the newer phones on the market come with 8 megapixel cameras, and smartphones can let you shoot and share in seconds.

Meanwhile, uploading photos from digital cameras requires the extra step of transferring them from your camera, which can take up to 10 minutes or more. Even the newer WiFi cameras can't compete with the connectivity options of most smartphones.

So, if you're a casual photographer who wants to share your photos quickly, don't waste extra money on a separate digital camera. Chance are you can get by with what's already in your pocket.