When purchasing a flash for your digital camera, the features that are important will depend on how you intend to use the flash. Will you use it outside, or are you setting up an indoor studio? Or do you plan to use it for macro photography?
If you’re interested in macro photography, look for a ring flash. This attaches to the end of the camera’s lens. It illuminates close-up objects. You won’t need to worry about shadows from the lens.

Otherwise, you’ll probably want a flash that mounts on the camera’s hot shoe. This is the most common type of flash for amateur photographers. The hot shoe is at the top of the camera, behind the pop-up flash. The hot shoe has a cover that slides off.

Since you’re new to photography, you may not want to invest much. But keep in mind that more advanced equipment will give you more room to grow. It will save you money in the long run.

Also, flash photography is particularly difficult. There is a lot to learn before you’ll take good pictures with a flash. Advanced features in a flash make things easier. You can use automatic modes to take better pictures.

I said that flash photography isn’t easy. Calculating the distance from the subject to the flash and adjusting the aperture accordingly is difficult. If you calculate incorrectly, your subject will be washed out. Or, it could be overly dark. You want your photo to have details in both the highlights and the darkest areas.