21 Sep 08 Digital Camera Buyers Guide
Author: Michael Malega
Time to get started on this topic. Take a few moments to read every aspect of this paper hopefully it will be of great help.
We use cameras to take pictures of a diversity of things. These can be special events in our lives or marvellous sights that we want to see time and time again. To take these pictures we can use a diverseness of cameras. These can be of the normal cameras where you wait for the picture to develop or they can be digital cameras. To buy a good calibre digital photographic camera these days it helps to look at a digital photographic camera buyers guide.
There are many unlike types of digital photographic camera buyers guide magazines that you can buy. While they will look unlike in styles and formatting they are all configured to help you select the best digital photographic camera for you. These digital camera buyers guides should not be that expensive and sometimes you can get one for free with a picture taking magazine.
When you look at a digital camera buyers guide cover you will be able to see the versatile products that will be reviewed and if they can be of any use to you in your photographic pursuits.
You will be able to see purchasing selective information about digital cameras, compact cameras, camera printers, lenses and some of the accessories that are requisite for photography. You will also see the types of digital cameras that are presently “hot”.
You can also find tips for purchasing these cameras as parts of kits in the digital photographic camera buyers guide. The table of contents of the digital camera buyers guide will show you the main articles and product features that you can expect to read about when you buy this magazine.
Sometimes you will get worthful purchasing data about the newest digital cameras and the best types of camera lens. These articles will cover in-depth the assorted features and procedure abilities of the unlike devices. You will be able to see which digital and compact cameras are well thought out to be good value for your money and what you can expect to see from these products.
With a digital camera buyers guide you will be informed about the cost of the different compact cameras, digital cameras, lenses and even the latest photographic camera printers. Also looking at the purchasing advantages and prices of these products a digital camera buyers guide will also let you know what are the high end digital cameras and what can be reasoned as bargains… to find more on this subject, please check our web site by clicking on our link below…
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found the information useful and interesting.
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20 Sep 08 Digital Camera Handling And Maintenance
Author: Roberto Sedycias
A photographic camera is an apparatus for taking photographs or moving film. All cameras have the same basic design - a lightproof container with a lens and a light-sensitive surface. A digital camera is different from a standard 35 mm SLR (single lens reflex) in the sense that digital cameras require no film rolls.
In earlier times careful planning went into taking pictures of an object but with a digital camera you can take a number of photographs and then select the best posture that you have captured while the rest of the pictures can always be deleted without involving any monetary loss. The pictures can then be transferred to your personal computer from where you can take out printouts if you have a color printer installed.
The quality of the photographs in a digital camera depends upon the camera resolution which is determined by pixels. Pixels or picture elements are any of the minute areas of uniform illumination of which an image on a digital display screen is composed. The greater the number of these pixels, the sharper is the image created. A digital camera which offers a resolution of 5 mega pixels is normally considered a good camera.
The weight of the digital camera also goes a long way in camera selection. Once upon a time digital cameras used to weigh one kilogram but with technological advancement they have become very compact and sleek. These modern cameras now come with zoom facilities. You can use digital zoom in any picture-taking mode to get up to 3X magnification beyond optical zoom.
You can do more with your digital camera like using different modes. General picture taking offers an excellent balance of image quality and ease of use. Point-and-shoot simplicity function is provided when taking pictures under special conditions. You can capture video with sound. You can view your favorite pictures. To capture far away scenes, the camera uses infinity auto focus. The camera automatically sets the focus distance depending on the zoom position.
Most digital cameras permit a white-balance setting which automatically transmits by inference which element should look white and which should look black. The lens is an integral part of any camera and determines the quality of the photographs. All digital cameras have LCD screens which can vary in size.
Care and maintenance of your digital camera is of utmost importance. If you suspect water has gotten inside the camera, remove the battery and memory card and allow all components to air-dry for at least 24 hours before using the camera. Blow lightly on the lens or LCD to get rid of dirt and dust. You should always wipe softly with a lint-free and soft cloth or lens cleaning tissue. Never use solutions unless intended particularly for camera lenses. Never allow chemicals such as sun tan lotion, to contact painted surfaces.
For digital camera, battery care is vital. Do not allow batteries to touch metal objects, including coins. Otherwise a battery may short circuit, discharge energy, become hot or leak. Always remove the battery when the product is stored for an extended period of time.
If your budget allows always buy a digital camera that provides you with higher resolutions, longer zoom lens and some other special features. Advanced consumer cameras usually require that you spend some time with the instruction manual to master all their capabilities, but they have few limitations.
Digital camera assures a user friendly working with pictures and videos. If accidentally you delete a picture you can use the undo delete function to retrieve it but this should be done immediately after you delete a single picture.
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20 Sep 08 The Magic Behind Digital Camera
Author: Harry Rockwell
A digital camera, as opposed to a film or videotape camera, uses an electronic sensor to transform images (or video) into electronic data. Modern digital cameras are typically multifunctional and the same device can take photographs, video, and/or sound.
In 2005, digital cameras are starting to push traditional film cameras out of many markets. Shrinking device sizes have recently allowed miniaturized digital cameras to be included in multifunctional devices, such as cell phones and PDAs.
Classification
Digital cameras can be classified into several groups:
* Professional video cameras such as those used in television and movie production. These typically have multiple images sensors (one per color) to enhance resolution and color gamut. Professional video cameras usually do not have a built-in VCR or microphone.
* Camcorders used by amateurs. These are a combination of camera and VCR to create an all-in-one production unit. They generally include a microphone to record sound, and feature a small LCD to watch the video during filming and playback.
Still cameras
Digital still cameras are generally characterized by the use of flash memory and USB or Fire Wire for storage and transfer.
Most have a rear LCD for reviewing photographs. They are rated in mega pixels; that is, the product of their maximum resolution dimensions. The actual transfers to a host computer are commonly carried out using the USB mass storage device class (so that the camera appear as a drive) or using the Picture Transfer Protocol and its derivatives.
All use a CCD (for Charged Coupled Device) which is a chip comprised of a grid of phototransistors to sense the light intensities across the plane of focus of the camera lens.
There has recently been some application of a second kind of chip, called a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, and this chip is often differentiated from a CCD proper in that it uses less power and a different kind of light sensing material, however the differences are highly technical and many manufacturers still consider the CMOS chip a charged coupled device. For our purposes, a chip sensor is a CCD.
* Standard Digital Cameras: This encompasses most digital cameras. They are characterized by great ease in operation and easy focusing; this design allows for limited motion picture capability. They have an extended depth of field.
This allows objects at multiple depths to be in focus simultaneously, which accounts for much of their ease of focusing. It is also part of the reason professional photographers find their images flat or artificial-looking. They excel in landscape photography and casual use.
* Digital SLRs typically have a sensor nine times larger than that of a standard digital camera, and are targeted at professional photographers and enthusiasts. They resemble ordinary professional cameras in most ways, with replaceable flash and lens components, which give the user maximum control over light, focus and depth of field.
They are also bulkier and more expensive than their casual-use oriented counterparts. They are superb for portraiture and artistic photography because they can be customized for various applications with a comprehensive range of exchangeable lenses.
Professional modular digital camera systems
High-end digital camera backs used by professionals are usually separate devices from the camera bodies which they are used with. (This is because most of the large- and medium-format camera systems in professional use at the time that digital capture overtook film as the professional’s medium of choice were modular in nature, i.e. the camera body had multiple lenses, viewfinders, winders and backs available for use with it to fit different needs.)
Since the first backs were introduced there have been three main methods of “capturing” the image, each based on the hardware configuration of the particular back.
The first method is often called “Single Shot,” in reference to the number of times the camera’s sensor is exposed to the light passing through the camera lens.
Single Shot capture systems use either one CCD with a Bayer filter stamped onto it or three separate CCDs (one each for the primary additive colors Red, Green and Blue) which are exposed to the same image via a beam splitter.
The second method is referred to as “Multi-Shot” because the sensor is exposed to the image in a sequence of three or more openings of the lens aperture. There are several methods of application of the multi-shot technique.
The most common originally was to use a single CCD with three filters (once again red, green and blue) passed in front of the sensor in sequence to obtain the additive color information.
Another multiple shot method utilized a single CCD with a Bayer filter but actually moved the physical location of the sensor chip on the focus plane of the lens to “stitch” together a higher resolution image than the CCD would allow otherwise. A third version combined the two methods without stamping a Bayer filter onto the chip.
The third method is called “Scan” because the sensor moves across the focus plane much like the sensor of a desktop scanner.
These CCDs are usually referred to as “sticks” rather than “chips” because they utilize only a single row of pixels (more properly “photosites”) which are again “stamped” with the Bayer filter.
The choice of method for a given capture is of course determined largely by the subject matter. It is usually inappropriate to attempt to capture a subject which moves (like people or objects in motion) with anything but a single shot system.
However, the higher color fidelity and larger file sizes and resolutions available with multi-shot and scan-backs make them attractive for commercial photographers working with stationary subjects and large-format photographs.
Webcams
* Webcams are digital cameras attached to computers, used for video conferencing or other purposes. Webcams can capture full-motion video as well, and some models include microphones or zoom ability.
These devices range in price from very inexpensive to expensive higher-end models; many complex webcams have a servo-controlled base capable of tracking facial motion with the help of software.
Interpolation
Image color or resolution interpolation is used unless the camera uses a beam splitter single-shot approach, three-filter multi-shot approach, or Foveon X3 sensor.
The software specific to the camera interprets the information from the sensor to obtain a full color image. This is because in digital images, each pixel must have three values for luminous intensity, one each for the red, green, and blue channels. A normal sensor element cannot simultaneously record these three values.
The Bayer filter pattern is typically used. A Bayer filter pattern is a 2×2 pattern of light filters, with green ones at opposite corners and red and blue elsewhere.
The high proportion of green takes advantage of properties of the human visual system, which is determines brightness mostly from green and is far more sensitive to brightness than to hue or saturation.
Sometimes a 4-color filter pattern is used, often involving 2 different hues of green. This provides a wider color gamut, but requires a slightly more complicated interpolation process.
The luminous intensity color values not captured for each pixel can be interpolated (or guessed at) from the values of adjacent pixels which represent the color being calculated.
In some cases, extra resolution is interpolated into the image by shifting photosites off of a standard grid pattern so that photosites are adjacent to each other at 45 degree angles, and all three values are interpolated for “virtual” photosites which fall into the spaces at 90 degree angles from the actual photosites.
Connectivity
Many digital cameras can connect directly to a computer to transfer data. USB is the most widely used method, though some have a Fire wire port.
Integration
Some devices, like mobile phones integrates digital cameras. Mobile phone cameras are much more sold than standalone digital ones.
Digital cameras need memory to store data. The higher one goes in pixel size, the more memory will be needed. Cameras use a removable memory card to store data, but the cheapest and smallest cameras may simply use fixed internal memory instead. Some cameras come with inbuilt memory as well.
Autonomous devices
An autonomous device, such as a PictBridge printer, operates without need of a computer. The camera connects to the printer, which then downloads and prints its images. Some DVD recorders and television sets can read memory cards too.
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20 Sep 08 Canon Elf Digital Camera Will Make an Exellent Choice for the Choice Hobbyist Photographer
Author: Muna wa Wanjiru
Digital cameras have been used for different occasions and events. These events can be weddings, birthdays and pictures of nature. The various Canon digital cameras are suited for both the novice photographer as well as the more experienced professional. In the digital camera range the Canon Elf Digital camera has the ability to provide superior images to the users.
The various models of Canon Elf Digital cameras are about the size of a credit card. The Canon Elf Digital camera is considered to be among the smallest digital cameras that have been produced. While this camera is small in size it still manages to give you high quality pictures.
The Canon Elf Digital camera cases are made from strong substances like steel that will protect the camera body from a variety of difficulties that you may encounter. The stylish look will make this an appealing digital camera for you to buy. Most of the newly made Canon Elf cameras have a flat appearance.
Some of these digital cameras will have an automatic lens cover. This cover will protect your digital camera when it is not in use. Since the Elf camera is made from steel and it has a protective covering for the camera lens you can take this camera along with you whenever you go out.
There are many great features that can be found with the different digital cameras like red eye reduction, fast shutter speeds, and a variety of scene modes like automatic, sports action mode, portrait mode, and landscape mode.
Most of the digital cameras that are being sold in the world are known by one name like Nikon, Minolta and Canon Elura digital cameras. The Canon Elf Digital camera models will have other names in a variety of countries.
For instance, in Japan the Canon Elf Digital camera is called the Ixy Digital camera, and in Europe and South East Asia it goes under the name of Digital Ixus.
The best fact that is known and recognized about the Canon Elf Digital camera range is that it has been designed to merge traditional photography with that of digital photography.
The many experts who review various digital cameras state that the Canon Elf Digital camera line has some superior digital camera products that are excellent for anyone who is looking to expend their picture taking abilities with no problems.
The Canon Elf Digital camera will make an excellent choice for the amateur hobbyist who is looking to expend their photographic abilities, and also for the novice who is just starting out on their photographing jaunts.
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20 Sep 08 Canon Powershot Digital Camera is a Superior Professional and Consumer Product
You will find that digital cameras can be used in a variety of situations. These can be functions, weddings, birthdays and even pictures of nature. The Canon digital cameras are suited for these many events. In the Canon range the Canon PowerShot Digital camera has the ability to fulfill this role quite well.
The many Canon PowerShot Digital cameras are about the size of a credit card. The Canon PowerShot Digital camera is considered to be among the smallest digital cameras that have been produced. While this camera is small it still manages to give you high quality pictures.
The Canon PowerShot Digital camera case is made from steel. The exterior appearance of the digital camera is flat fronted. To protect the lens of the camera you will find that this digital camera comes equipped with an automatic lens cover. This cover will protect your digital camera when it is not in use.
Since the camera is made from steel and it has a protective covering for the camera lens you will not have to worry about handling the camera in the worry of something happening to it.
As the Canon PowerShot Digital camera is stylish due to the steel casing which lends it a sense of sophistication you are more likely to take this camera along with you when you go out. This means that you are more likely to take a fantastic photograph with the Canon PowerShot Digital camera.
The various Canon PowerShot Digital cameras all belong to the Canon Digital Elph family. These cameras are all designed to be small is size and yet they give superior performance value.
Most of the digital cameras that are being sold in the world are known by one name like Pentax, Minolta and Kodak digital cameras. The Canon PowerShot Digital camera is however given other names in a variety of countries. These names are Digital Ixus in Europe and South East Asia. In Japan this camera is called the Ixy Digital camera.
The best fact about the Canon PowerShot Digital camera is that it has been designed to merge traditional photography with that of digital photography products. This allows you to take conventional photos without having to worry about setting the cameras to various settings. All that you need to do is to point and click.
The many experts who have reviewed this camera state that the Canon PowerShot Digital camera is a good buy for the average consumer. This digital camera is known to be a superior pro-sumer product.
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19 Sep 08 Looking at a Digital Camera Buyers Guide for That Invaluable Info
Author: Muna wa Wanjiru
We use cameras to take pictures of a variety of things. These can be special events in our lives or fantastic sights that we want to see time and time again. To take these pictures we can use a variety of cameras. These can be of the normal cameras where you wait for the picture to develop or they can be digital cameras. To purchase a good quality digital camera these days it helps to look at a digital camera buyers guide.
There are many different types of digital camera buyers guide magazines that you can buy. While they will look different in styles and format they are all designed to help you select the best digital camera for you. These digital camera buyers guides should not be that expensive and sometimes you can get one for free with a photography magazine.
When you look at a digital camera buyers guide cover you will be able to see the various products that will be reviewed and if they can be of any use to you in your photographic pursuits.
You will be able to see buying information about digital cameras, compact cameras, camera printers, lenses and some of the accessories that are needed for photography. You will also see the types of digital cameras that are currently “hot”.
You can also find tips for buying these cameras as parts of kits in the digital camera buyers guide. The contents of the digital camera buyers guide will show you the main articles and product features that you can expect to read about when you purchase this magazine.
Sometimes you will get valuable buying information about the latest digital cameras and the best types of camera lens. These articles will cover in-depth the various features and performance abilities of the different devices. You will be able to see which digital and compact cameras are considered to be good value for your money and what you can expect to see from these products.
With a digital camera buyers guide you will be informed about the price of the different compact cameras, digital cameras, lenses and even the newest camera printers. Besides looking at the buying advantages and prices of these products a digital camera buyers guide will also let you know what are the high end digital cameras and what can be considered as bargains.
These are just a few of the products and services that you can find when you look at a digital camera buyers guide. These magazines are jam-packed with lots of information that is essential for the person who wants to buy a quality digital camera and needs good advice, and these guides can be considered invaluable.
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19 Sep 08 The Must-Know Basics Of Digital Camera Repairing
Author: Roberto Sedycias
Possessing a high-end and sophisticated gadget like digital camera can be a pride in itself, but repairing it can be daunting. A digital camera is a 100% electronic device with many delicate circuits inside it. Adequate knowledge about the delicate device is essential for the technician for repairing who must handle the device with extra care. It needs specialized testing equipments to diagnosis the very problem. That is, perhaps, the reason why repairing digital camera is expensive.
There are some minor defects in your digital camera that you can fix yourself. Of course, that depends on the type or the model of camera that you are using. Here, another noteworthy thing is you should have precise idea about what exactly is wrong with it.
Things You Can Fix Yourself:
The common problem that can be detected and fixed without much hassle is the digital camera lens. Most of the time it is due to careless handling or improper setting that the lens ceases to function leaving you baffled over the matter. Most of the time, it is due to the improper alignment of the lens. You will encounter system error messages on the LCD. In such circumstances the camera is not able to focus and the result is worse pictures. You can simply realign the lens or reset the zoom barrel guide pins and you will find your digital camera working as usual.
There are some other minor and common problems such as broken battery cover, broken hinges on memory card doors, cracked LCDs, etc. But if you are not sure about the problem, it is wise not to handle it. Rather you can take your digital camera to an authorized repairing center.
However, before visiting any repairing center or technician you must take check certain common things. There may be some minor problems that you can identify yourself such as:
1 - Sometimes, it is very likely that you might have hit the wrong button or have changed the menu for which the device does not work properly.
2 - If the battery of your digital camera is running out of power, it is most likely that the digital cameras will not work. Ensure if thing improves when a fully charged cell is inserted into the digital camera.
3 - Sometimes, it is necessary to reset the camera through the menu or by removing the battery for 24 hours.
4 - The camera may not turn on if the memory card is full.
These common problems can not be really considered as a serious problem for the digital camera. But a novice user of the gadget may find it difficult them troubleshoot.
Selecting Repairing Service Station:
If the small efforts are not enough to fix your camera, visit an authorized service station in stead of asking any ordinary technician. The technician in the service station should have experience of fixing several brands and models of digital camera.
Moreover, both the user and the technician should have the ability to distinguish between marginal repair and quality repair. A little bit of confusion in this regard may cause damage to your precious digital camera.
Each model of digital cameras requires special tools to fix the errors and reliable service centers have these specialized tools and skilled technicians to properly service and safeguard the digital camera. Efficient diagnosis and repairing of digital camera depends largely upon specialized tests, appropriate equipments and expert technician.
The high-end and sophisticated device like digital camera requires a lot of concern and careful handling which is of paramount importance for longevity of the digital camera. However, the repair process of digital camera also needs the same amount of care and attention. You need to have adequate knowledge of handling digital camera to avoid any kind of trouble.
If possible gather information from the Internet about handling and repairing. A digital camera is a valuable possession and worth caring.
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19 Sep 08 The Basics of Digital Camera Care
Author: Roberto Sedycias
Your digital camera is an expensive and sophisticated possession. It is a long-term investment and hence, worth protecting. This delicate gadget needs special care and attention at all times for better performance. Though most of us know the importance of taking care of a digital camera, barely anyone go for the safe and proper way to do that. Everyone knows that the camera body and lens should be handled with care as they are prone to damage and scratches. But few people know that there are also some other aspects that are ctritical to the digital camera care. Just put in some efforts and follow some basic tips and make your precious camera perform efficiently for years.
Lens is the most important part of your digital camera; it is the window towards the outside world. A small scratch or spot on the lens will destroy the whole picture. Hence, care should be taken to keep it clean but not by touching with the fingers directly. If there is any dust, first try to blow it up, if it is still there wipe it with a soft lens cleaning tissue or you can use a lens brush or lens blower. You can even find lens cleaners specifically meant for digital camera. Do not forget to cover the lens while the digital camera is not in use.
Delicate Parts of the Camera:
Memory card is one of the most delicate components of your digital camera. You may find CompactFlash, SD or MMC cards in your camera. They are small and play a vital role while taking snaps. The other delicate part of your digital camera is camera panel. You need to handle all these delicate components carefully.
Taking care of the batteries also comes under digital camera care. Getting the right kind of battery will enhance the performance of the digital camera. Clean the battery component and remove the batteries while the camera is not in use for long time.
Another important thing is to turn off the camera while you are not using it. The care of a digital camera also depends on how you are storing it. Make sure that you are keeping it away from any kind of magnet. Magnet in any form may affect the circuitry of the digital camera. It is also essential to store your camera against condensation. Put the silica gel capsules in the storage box of your digital camera to prevent condensation. If you are storing your digital camera for a long duration, there could be corrosive leaks from the battery over the time. You can take the batteries out of the camera in such case. Temperature is one important aspect of consideration while storing camera. Keep your camera away from extremely cold or hot temperature.
Travelling:
We prefer to store each and every memory of our holiday trip or any other trip. Photographs are the best way to preserve the memory for a life time. Everyone likes to take the camera so that they can capture every single moment worth remember. A delicate device like digital camera should be taken care of properly while travelling. Take a digital camera case with you in your trips. It is safer and can protect your camera from scratches. Security is the main concern. Remember to insure your digital camera as the chances of robbery increases when you are travelling.
Your digital camera is a real treasure as it costs a lot of money. Taking care is something that you ca not avoid if you want to use it for a years. Apply every single tip you know to take care of your camera and keep its performance intact for ever.
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19 Sep 08 Digital Camera Basics-resolution, Exposure, Focus, and Storage
Author: Brian Lee
The amount of detail that a camera can capture is called the resolution, and it is measured in pixels. The more pixels a camera has, the more detail it can capture and the larger pictures can be without becoming blurry or “grainy.” High-end consumer cameras can capture over 12 million pixels. Some professional cameras support over 16 million pixels (megapixels), or 20 million pixels for large-format cameras. For comparison, it has been estimated that the quality of 35mm film is about 20 million pixels.
Exposure and Focus
Just as with film, a digital camera has to control the amount of light that reaches the sensor. The two components it uses to do this, the aperture and shutter speed, are also present on conventional cameras.
Aperture: The size of the opening in the camera. The aperture is automatic in most digital cameras, but some allow manual adjustment to give professionals and hobbyists more control over the final image.
Shutter speed: The amount of time that light can pass through the aperture. Unlike film, the light sensor in a digital camera can be reset electronically, so digital cameras have a digital shutter rather than a mechanical shutter.
These two aspects work together to capture the amount of light needed to make a good image. In photographic terms, they set the exposure of the sensor.
In addition to controlling the amount of light, the camera has to adjust the lenses to control how the light is focused on the sensor. In general, the lenses on digital cameras are very similar to conventional camera lenses — some digital cameras can even use conventional lenses. Most use automatic focusing techniques.
The focal length, however, is one important difference between the lens of a digital camera and the lens of a 35mm camera. The focal length is the distance between the lens and the surface of the sensor. Sensors from different manufacturers vary widely in size, but in general they’re smaller than a piece of 35mm film. In order to project the image onto a smaller sensor, the focal length is shortened by the same proportion.
Focal length also determines the magnification, or zoom, when you look through the camera. In 35mm cameras, a 50mm lens gives a natural view of the subject. Increasing the focal length increases the magnification, and objects appear to get closer. The reverse happens when decreasing the focal length. A zoom lens is any lens that has an adjustable focal length, and digital cameras can have optical or digital zoom — some have both. Some cameras also have macro focusing capability, meaning that the camera can take pictures from very close to the subject.
Digital cameras have one of four types of lenses:
1) Fixed-focus, fixed-zoom lenses - These are the kinds of lenses on disposable and inexpensive film cameras — inexpensive and great for snapshots, but fairly limited.
2) Optical-zoom lenses with automatic focus - Similar to the lens on a video camcorder, these have “wide” and “telephoto” options and automatic focus. The camera may or may not support manual focus. These actually change the focal length of the lens rather than just magnifying the information that hits the sensor.
3) Digital-zoom lenses - With digital zoom, the camera takes pixels from the center of the image sensor and interpolates (alters) them to make a full-sized image. Depending on the resolution of the image and the sensor, this approach may create a grainy or fuzzy image. You can manually do the same thing with image processing software — simply snap a picture, cut out the center and magnify it.
4) Replaceable lens systems - These are similar to the replaceable lenses on a 35mm camera. Some digital cameras can use 35mm camera lenses.
Most digital cameras have an LCD screen so you can view your picture right away. This is one of the great advantages of a digital camera — you get immediate feedback on what you capture. Of course, viewing the image on your camera would lose its charm if that’s all you could do. You want to be able to load the picture into your computer or send it directly to a printer. There are several ways to do this.
Although most of today’s cameras are capable of connecting through serial, parallel, SCSI, USB, or FireWire connections, they usually also use some sort of removable storage device. Digital cameras use a number of storage systems. These are like reusable, digital film, and they use a caddy or card reader to transfer the data to a computer. Many involve fixed or removable flash memory. Digital camera manufacturers often develop their own proprietary flash memory devices, including SmartMedia cards, CompactFlash cards and Memory Sticks. Other removable storage device include floppy disks, hard disks (external, or microdrives), and writeable CD’s and DVD’s.
Regardless of what type of storage they use, all digital cameras need lots of room for pictures. They usually store images in one of two formats — TIFF, which is uncompressed, and JPEG, which is compressed. Most cameras use the JPEG file format for storing pictures, and they sometimes offer quality settings (such as medium or high).
To make the most of their storage space, almost all digital cameras use some sort of additional data compression to make the files smaller. One compression routine takes advantage of patterns that repeat. The image can be reconstructed exactly as it was recorded, reducing the file size no more than 50%, often much less. Another compression routine called irrelevancy eliminates some of the more meaningless data, taking advantage of the fact that digital cameras record more information than the human eye can easily detect.
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18 Sep 08 Buying a Digital Camera? Read This Buying Guide!
Author: Bob Shanty
Many digital cameras with upgraded technology are being introduced every day. This makes it more difficult to select a camera, as you are left with a wide range of models to choose from. However, most buyers have specific features and needs in mind. Rather than going for the latest model, buy digital cameras that best suit your requirements.
What should I look for when buying a digital camera?
The cheap camera lenses, resolution, display size, performance and battery life should all play a significant role in your buying decision. Here are some features to keep in mind while picking the right camera for yourself.
Resolution is typically defined as the number of pixels that make up a picture. A digital cameras resolution is closely related to image quality. You need a high resolution camera to shoot and print highly detailed photographs. If you want to enlarge and crop any of your photos without loss of clarity, go for cameras that offer a higher resolution. If you do not intend on printing your photographs and would rather email them to friends, a lower resolution camera would be a better choice. They are more affordable and still produce fairly good images.
Memory and Connectivity:
Generally, digital cameras have a removable storage option, such as a memory card slot. Digital cameras support a wide range of formats like flash memory, memory sticks, SecureDigital cards, SmartMedia cards and xD Picture cards. Many TVs, laptops, digital photo frames and some gaming consoles have memory card readers, so you can easily view photos that are stored on memory cards. If you want to save money, store photos on the cameras internal memory rather than on a memory card and transfer them to a PC or Mac using a USB cable. Digital memory is a huge time and money saver!
Rechargeable batteries are highly recommended because they can be charged and reused again. Recent cameras are compatible with NiCad, NiMH and lithium-ion batteries. Though NiCad and NiMH are inexpensive, lithium-ion is worth the extra money. They are long-lasting batteries with low self-discharge rates. You should opt for cameras that are compatible with lithium-ion batteries. A few cameras come with an AC power adapter that can be used to charge the digital camera battery as well.
Zoom:
Digital cameras come with two types of zoom lenses, optical and digital. Both of these zoom lenses allow you to take close-ups of a distant subject, although they accomplish this task through different means. The optical zoom magnifies the image before the shot is taken, whereas the digital zoom artificially magnifies the image by enlarging the pixel area but this leads to a loss of resolution. You should pay more attention to the optical zoom rather than the digital zoom when comparing models.
Modes:
Most cameras available today have preset modes for shooting images under different conditions. Factors such as exposure, aperture, focussing, light metering, white balance and sensitivity can all be adjusted. Many digital cameras also include video capture modes, enabling you to take short videos at different frame rate speeds.
ViewFinders and LCD Displays:
The optical viewfinder is the window you look through when taking a picutre. Although there are digital cameras with viewfinders, several of the latest models have only an LCD display. The LCD screen lets you view an image as you take it and also plays back pictures and videos saved on your camera. Anti-glare screens are best for buyers who plan on shooting a lot of photos outdoors. If you need a durable camera for rough use, opt for a scratch resistant screen.
Technology:
Digital cameras also come with innovative technologies that make photography fun and easy. Do u want to avoid overexposed or darkened faces, recognise multiple faces or optimize the color and tonal qualities of your photos? Not a problem. Todays cameras are well equipped with automatic red-eye and camera shake detection and correction as well as multiple face recognition. Not no meantion tons of
What are the different types of cameras and camera accessories online or available through conventional stores?
Point-and-Shoot Models:
Point-and-shoot cameras are a dime a dozen. These entry level models provide low resolution with little magnification. If you do not want to spend time on focusing and figuring out the settings and controls, a point-and-shoot camera is just the ticket. You will find plenty of these models that are low in cost and easy to use.
Intermediate Models:
These models are especially designed for beginners. Equipped with a range of automatic settings, these consumer-level digital cameras produce flawless pictures. They usually have a resolution of 3.2 to 5 megapixels and a 3:1 to 4:1 zoom lens.
Advanced Consumer Models:
If you have taken a class or photography is one of your hobbies, then you will probably want some additional features. Choose from the many advanced consumer models with higher resolutions, quality lenses and morer zoom. These models let you add features based on your needs and give you the freedom to personalize the settings.
Prosumer Models:
When you buy digital cameras, if consumer models are too basic for you and professional models are too complex, you will love a prosumer model. These sophisticated cameras have the best of both worlds. They have a vast number of options to work with, like switching between automatic and manual focus, selecting the shutter speed and adjusting the aperture settings. You will also have the opportunity to express your creative side by manipulating images. You can adjust the brightness and contrast levels for truly unique snaps. You can expect a minimum of 5 to 6 megapixels in this category. These digital cameras can take 2 to 3 pictures per second, but tend to be more fragile than other models.
Professional Models:
You will need a top of the line model that sports the latest features to meet your high demands, if you are a professional photographer. Professional models are capable of producing high resolution images with magnificent colors and clarity. They have interchangeable lenses and a resolution of up to 14 megapixels. These models are the fastest on the market, allowing you to take 5 pictures per second. Professional digital cameras have a whopping storage option of at least a 1 GB mini hard disk drive, on an average.
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