When it comes to purchasing a lens for your digital camera, the sheer number of options, specifications, acronyms and features is enough to make anyone throw up their hands in frustration and resort to simply using their smartphone. But dedicated cameras are still worth it, and produce high-quality photos that smartphone cameras just can't match with their minuscule sensors.

Once you know what you're looking for, and know how different companies brand identical features, it isn't too difficult to figure out what type of lens you need. With a little education, you can determine which features in your new lens are superfluous, essential, or just nice to have.