21 Sep 08 Nikon Announces Seven New COOLPIX Cameras With Consumer’s Digital Photography Needs in Mind
Nikon’s New COOLPIX Digital Cameras Put Performance and Style in Your Life
Nikon Announces Seven New COOLPIX Cameras With Consumer’s Digital Photography Needs in Mind
Nikon’s New COOLPIX Digital Cameras Put Performance and Style in Your Life
MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 21 — Looking for a premier digital camera with your needs in mind? Whether you’re a first time digital camera consumer, looking to update your old digital camera, a person who enjoys sharing your pictures or an experienced photographer looking for a compact digital camera, Nikon’s 2006 COOLPIX line has a camera and feature set that is right for you. Today, Nikon announced the addition of seven new COOLPIX cameras adding to its Life, Style and Performance Series. Developed with the consumer in mind, Nikon has combined exceptional features with world-renowned quality design and style at attractive prices.
“Consumers requested small, sharp, powerful and easy-to-use digital cameras that can capture and share moments and memories,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for Nikon Inc. “From entry-level to advanced technologies our designers and engineers have done an outstanding job of adopting design styles and intuitive technology that directly address what the consumer asks for — a camera that looks great and performs just as
well.”
Unique to COOLPIX digital cameras, and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded images in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to underexposed pictures due to excessive backlight or insufficient flash,
blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:
– In-Camera Red-Eye Fix(TM): automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography. You may never see red eye again.
– Face-Priority AF*: automatically finds and focuses on a persons face within the frame, providing sharp focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subject is positioned in the frame.
– D-Lighting: selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.
– Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry picture allowing for it to be retaken before leaving the scene.
– Best Shot Selector (BSS): automatically identifies and saves the sharpest shot from ten sequential shots.
In addition, every new COOLPIX camera features TV Quality Move Mode** function (recording movies at up to 30 fps with sound), Noise Reduction - to produce better results during low-light conditions; a broad choice of White Balance selection and a convenient Help Button, which is never further than a push of a button away, giving easy-to-understand explanations for all
functions throughout the menu.
Memories Made Easy with Nikon’s COOLPIX L-Series
If you are looking for an easy to use, compact digital camera that takes great pictures right out of the box, the Nikon COOLPIX L Series is a perfect fit. The COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4 feature high-quality components, including a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens, a big, bright, 2.0-inch LCD and a streamlined design (less than 1″ thick) which contributes to the camera’s style and operation.
Adding to the cameras’ portability, each camera is AA-size battery and SD memory card compatible. With generous effective megapixel values of 6.0 for the COOLPIX L2, 5.1 for the COOLPIX L3 and 4.0 for the COOLPIX L4, users have the ability to produce clear, crisp pictures. A choice of 15 Scene Modes - including four with Scene Assist - Best Shot Selector (BSS), Single and Continuous AF, Choice of White Balance and Noise reduction help users create pictures with optimal results.
The L2 and L3 will be available in late February 2006 with MSRP’s of, $199.95 for the L3 and $249.95 for the L2. The L4 will be available in March 2006 with an MSRP of $149.95
Brilliance Made Beautiful with Nikon’s COOLPIX S Series
The stylish Nikon COOLPIX S5 and S6 combine high-quality imaging performance with impressive digital photo sharing technology. The sleek, modern wave design of the S Series cameras, along with 6.0 effective megapixels and a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED Glass lens, make them ideal for the user who wants a camera with added style. Sharing digital images is easy with the new Pictmotion(TM) function, which allows users to select their favorite images, choose one of five royalty-free, pre-installed music files, or their own choice of music***, and automatically produce slide shows with pace and transition selected to match the music and style. Slide shows can be played back with ease on the S5’s 2.5-inch LCD of the S6’s 3.0-inch LCD, each of which is viewable for a wide 170-degree angle.
The incorporation of a Rotary Multi Selector allows for easy scrolling through the newly designed menu system and breezing through picture playback at up to 10 frames per second. Also included in the new S Series is a standalone One-Touch Portrait button conveniently located on the top of each camera, giving users instant access to the In-Camera Red Eye Fix and Face Priority AF options.
To ensure quality photos in various shooting environments, users have the option of 16 scene modes, 17 for S5 with Underwater mode****, including four modes with Scene Assist.
The COOLPIX S6 features an additional advantage of built-in WiFi capability, allowing for wireless transfer of pictures to a computer and wireless printing***** with any PictBridge enabled printer.
The COOLPIX S5 and S6 will be available nationwide in March 2006. The S5 has an MSRP of $349.95 and the S6 $449.95.
Passion Made Powerful with Nikon’s COOLPIX P-Series
The Nikon COOLPIX P3 and P4 digital cameras combine 8.1 effective megapixels with a range of advanced in-camera technologies. Designed for the photographer who enjoys customization and the ability to control their photography, the P Series cameras feature an innovative Vibration Reduction (VR) capability. Originally developed for Nikon SLR lenses, VR capability is available in two modes (Normal and Active) in order to compensate for camera movement. VR Normal compensates for minor movements, most often associated with handheld shooting, while VR Active compensates for more pronounced movements, such as the vibration of a moving vehicle.
The P3 and P4 give users the flexibility of a full array of exposure control settings. Covering a broader area of the frame, the new 11 wide-area AF achieves better results in more diverse compositions - leaving photographers free to concentrate on the shot while the camera automatically achieves superior, sharp focus. In addition, there are 16 shooting modes, including nine advanced scene modes that allow photographers to produce pictures better suited to their own personal tastes - through the use of three effects that vary brightness, color intensity, sharpness noise reduction and more. To help photographers capture the action as it happens, both cameras feature continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second, which is
complimented by a five shot buffer that allows users to shoot in a continuous burst, with the camera recording the last five images taken.
The COOLPIX P3 comes with built in Wi-Fi capability that allows for wireless transfer of pictures to a computer and wireless printing***** with any PictBridge enabled printer.
The COOLPIX P3 and P4 will be available in March 2006 with a MSRP of $449.95 and $399.95, respectively.
* Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting
conditions.
** COOLPIX L4 does not record sound in the Movie Mode.
*** Via PictureProject for Windows only.
**** Requires new FJ-CP-1 - Field Jacket - Price TBD
***** Requires optionally available Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.
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21 Sep 08 Nikon COOLPIX Style Series Adds Slideshows With Your Music and Wave Design
Nikon’s New 6.0-megapixel COOLPIX S5 and S6 Perform As Great As They Look
MELVILLE, NY (February 21, 2006) - Nikon today announced a stylish and edgy addition to the Nikon COOLPIX S, or Style, Series of digital cameras. The new COOLPIX S5 and S6 combine high-quality imaging performance with impressive new Pictmotion™ photo sharing technology to make the S5 and S6 the must-have compact digital camera. Both the S5 and S6 have sleek, slim wave designs, appealing to users who want their cameras to look as great as the pictures they take. Each camera boasts 6.0 effective megapixels and features a 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED Glass lens.
“Along with other products of great design, Nikon’s new COOLPIX S Series encompasses all things desirable. It’s a great union of form and function,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for Nikon Inc. “Beyond style, the introduction of Pictmotion technology, huge, bright LCD screens and a new Rotary Multi Selector turn the S5 and S6 cameras into fun tools for taking and sharing digital images.”
Unique to COOLPIX digital cameras, and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded images in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to dark pictures, blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:
- In-Camera Red-Eye Fixâ„¢: automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography. You may never see red eye again.
- Face-Priority AF*: automatically finds and focuses on a persons face within the frame, providing sharp focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subject is positioned in the frame.
- D-Lighting: selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.
- Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry picture allowing for it to be retaken before leaving the scene.
- Best Shot Selector (BSS): automatically identifies and saves the sharpest shot from ten sequential shots.
Making it simple and convenient to take stunning portraits, a standalone One-Touch Portrait Button featured on both the S5 and S6, gives users instant access to the Face Priority AF and In-Camera Red Eye Fix options. To ensure quality photos in various shooting environments, users have the option of 16 scene modes,17 for S5 with Underwater mode**, including four modes with Scene Assist and a TV Quality Movie Mode function that records moving memories at 30fps with sound.
Sharing digital images is made easy with the new Pictmotion technology, which puts a creative new spin on the average in-camera slide show. By allowing users to select their favorite recorded images and matching one of five royalty-free, pre-installed music files on the camera, or your own choice of music***, Pictmotion automatically analyzes all the elements to produce in-camera slide shows that look great and are fun to share with others. The COOLPIX S5 and S6 provide quality playback of sound and the bright, sharp expanded 2.5 and 3.0-inch LCD’s – with an impressively wide 170-degree viewing angle - make it easy for everyone to see.
With the incorporation of a new Rotary Multi Selector, users can easily scroll their way through the newly designed menu system or breeze through picture playback at up to 10 frames per second. Another new feature for the COOLPIX S5 and S6 includes a calendar function that automatically sorts images according to the date that they were taken. For added in camera assistance, Nikon created a Help button, which is now standard on all Nikon’s new COOLPIX cameras. This component provides easy-to-understand explanations for functions on the main menu.
Supporting both 80211.b and 80211.g WiFi standards, the built-in WiFi on the COOLPIX S6 allows for wireless transfer and printing of pictures to any PictBridge-enabled printer. For wireless printing of pictures without a computer Nikon offers the accessory Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.
The COOLPIX S5 and S6 will be available nationwide in March 2006. The S5 has an MSRP of $349.95 and the S6 $449.95. For more information about this and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.
* Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.
**Requires new FJ-CP-1 Field Jacket Price TBD
***Via PictureProject for Windows only.
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21 Sep 08 Nikon Digital Imaging Software Business Enhanced by Collaboration With American Developer, Nik Software, Inc.
Partnership Will Lead to Exciting New Developments in Imaging Software for Digital Cameras
TOKYO, Feb. 14 — Nikon Corporation (Michio Kariya, President) is pleased to announce collaboration in the field of imaging software for digital cameras with American software developer, Nik Software, Inc. (formerly nik multimedia, Inc., Mr. Michael J. Slater, President & CEO; headquarters in San Diego, California).
With this collaboration, the technologies of both companies will be merged to develop and market innovative software products based on new concepts. This new relationship will enable a stronger presence and guarantee a leading role in the imaging software market.
To further the success of this collaboration, Nikon has also made equity investment in Nik Software, Inc. (hereafter “Nik”).
Behind the collaboration
As the popularity of digital cameras increases, software applications that allow users to enjoy and expand the possibilities of their digital images with management, enhancement, and processing tools become more and more important. Well aware of this fact, Nikon offers a selection of software applications including the image management and enhancement application, PictureProject, and the advanced image processing and editing application, Nikon Capture.
Nikon and Nik, with its own digital imaging software technology, have maintained a cooperative relationship since 2004.
Recognizing the significant benefits this collaboration will have in fortifying the digital imaging software business of both companies, as well as in offering users simple and fun to use software that appeals to the very broad digital photography market, Nikon and Nik have decided to expand and reinforce their ties.
* Overview of the collaboration
* Technical cooperation in the development of digital imaging software.
* Worldwide distribution, utilizing channels established by Nikon, of
products developed jointly.
* Plans for the future
With integration of Nikon’s digital camera technology with Nik’s digital imaging software technology, the introduction of digital imaging software, based on new concepts, that incorporates innovative technology, versatility, and unique advantages is scheduled.
Harnessing the strengths of both companies and establishing a cooperative relationship in the software business will further the development of next-generation digital imaging software. The resulting software will offer users a wide variety of benefits in working with their digital images, as well as offering greater performance from both personal and professional digital imaging. Together, all of these new possibilities and advantages will provide both companies with greater opportunities and a stronger position in the software business.
* Nik Software, Inc. corporate profile
President & CEO: Mr. Michael J. Slater
Offices: San Diego, California U.S.A. (Corporate Headquarters)
Hamburg, Germany (European Branch Office)
Primary business: Development and sales of digital imaging software
Primary products: nik Color Efex Pro(TM) (digital filters), nik
Sharpener Pro(TM) (digital image sharpening
software), Dfine(R) (digital image noise reduction
software)
Establishment: Established in 1995; Incorporated in 2001
* Statement from Mr. Michael J. Slater, President & CEO of Nik Software,
Inc.:
“This cooperative agreement enables both Nikon and Nik to fulfill their common commitment to continuously develop advanced products and technology for the booming digital photography market. We look forward to working with Nikon to build a strong digital imaging software business by leveraging both our companies’ proprietary technologies and photo-imaging know-how.”
For further information regarding the Nikon/Nik collaboration:
* Members of the press
Corporate Communications & IR Dept. Corporate Strategy Center, Nikon
Corporation
Fuji Bldg., 2-3 Marunouchi 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8331 Japan
Mr. Hatori or Mr. Enomoto
+81-3-3216-1032
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21 Sep 08 Digital Camera Buying Guide
Author: Monty Alexander
Planning to buy a digital camera? Not sure how to get started?
Read on to discover how…..
What do you need the camera for?
If you buy a simple one that can be used at home, you will not get interesting capabilities that you need for taking really good photographic pictures. On the other hand, it would be a waste of your money if you have the latest digital camera only to be used for personal photos at home.
Based on the purpose one can choose from the following main three types.
· Point and shoot: - reasonably compact, with features and size like 35mm cameras.
· Lifestyle: - with moderate features, it’s sleek and compact, so you can carry it around with ease.
· Professional: - with interchangeable lenses, flashes and other accessories, this camera is robust and feature laden, just the right choice for a professional or serious photographer.
These are the important features to look for?
Digital images are made up of dots called pixels. The higher the number of pixels in your image, the better will be the quality of the image. This will therefore enable you to enlarge your image to higher pixel dimensions without creating a pixilated (broken) image.
Compression
Compression shrinks a photo’s file size, thus accommodating more images in the memory card. However compression causes a small amount of data loss. If you need the absolute best-quality images, you have to consider buying a camera that takes uncompressed photos but will accommodate less number of images.
A camera’s memory size will decide the number of images that can be stored. Memory of 128MB will be good enough if you want to use the camera mostly at a social do or a party. If you are on a vacation or when you cannot download images for days at a stretch, a memory of 512MB to 1GB will be most favorable.
Most digital cameras come with at least an optical viewfinder but many digital cameras also come with an LCD screen built into the back. For a digital camera, they vary from 1.5-2.5 inches.
Lens
It is the length of a camera’s lens that determines how much of a scene will fit in a picture. A “Normal” lens is about 50mm, most closely approximate to what your eye sees.
Optical zoom
This enables the photographer to zoom in on an object without any problem in picture quality. Depending on the magnification number, you can zoom in more.
Digital zoom
This feature enables the photographer to zoom in on the centre of the picture by removing the edges of the image.
Focus an exposure
In most cameras, the correct exposure for the lighting conditions is automatically determined. A camera rated ISO 100, has approximately the same light sensitivity as that of a traditional film camera loaded with ISO 100 film. A higher ISO rating means that the camera is more sensitive to light and is potential enough to take pictures in darker settings.
Audio and Movie capture
This feature allows you to record sounds and moving images at the same time, in exactly the same way that a camcorder functions. Some digital cameras provide the facility to record a few seconds of audio with each shot, thus letting you add a personal sound bite to your photos.
Movie mode
This is a feature that lets you take short film clips with your camera. The total record length is typically limited to 10 to 90 seconds.
Most digital cameras come with an in-built flash. Some cameras however include additional features, such as red-eye reduction or night portrait mode.
Image erase
Most cameras also let you select pictures to erase. This handy feature gives you the chance to edit out the photos you don’t want in order to create space in the memory.
Self-timer
A self-timer allows your digital camera for a delayed exposure, usually giving you about 10 seconds before the picture is taken.
Computer connections
Most high-end cameras have software and connections for both Mac and PC computers. However it is necessary to make sure the digital camera you want is compatible with your platform before you buy it.
This feature enables the photographer to capture still images of something moving very fast.
Printing
Nowadays you can buy special printers, depending on the compatibility of your camera, to print off your pictures without connecting it to a PC. This applies both for digital and SLR Professional cameras.
How important is size and portability to you?
Size is another very important factor to consider. If you are to use the camera for non professional purposes the size has to be small as you cannot afford to carry huge sized cameras when you are enjoying a trip.
What is your budget?
Based on the budget the features will vary and the overall offering of a camera. Today’s digital cameras run anywhere from Rs 800 to Rs 30,000, depending on resolution and features. While the initial expense of a digital camera is still high you may find that the added convenience and savings in film and processing costs are worth it.
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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 A Few Facts Of Digital Cameras
Author: Roberto Sedycias
A digital camera captures images in a digital format, unlike a conventional camera, which captures images using a photographic film.
History:
Using a mosaic photosensor, Eugene F. Lally of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory first showed how still photos could be produced in a digital domain. An engineer at Eastman Kodak, Steve Sasson, used solid-state CCD chips to build a prototype digital camera having a resolution of 0.01 megapixel, and recorded black and white digital images to a magnetic cassette tape. With this prototype model, Steve took the first image in December of 1975 taking 23 seconds to capture it.
In 1988, Fuji DS-1P became the first digital camera that captured images as a computerized file. However, the camera never entered the U.S. market. In 1991, Kodak DCS-100 was the first commercially available digital camera, which used a 1.3 megapixel sensor. With the advancement of technology, modern digital cameras have become multifunctional and are now capable of capturing audio/video and still photographs.
Benefits:
1 - You get superior image quality. Digital cameras can offer good to excellent image resolution.
2 - You get a fair price. A digital camera is reasonably priced and is affordable.
3 - You can transfer the pictures to your laptop. You can easily connect the digital camera to your laptop and transfer the pictures in your hard disk.
4 - You can print in large sizes. Due to its high resolution, pictures can be printed in large sizes by any plotter.
5 - You can email the pictures to your friends. You can send the pictures by email to your loved ones.
6 - You can store the images in CDs or hard disk. Once the pictures are transferred from digital camera to the computer, permanent storage on a CD or hard disk is possible.
7 - You can take the camera in your pocket while you travel. The small size of the digital camera makes traveling with it easy and a pleasure.
8 - You can move in close to your subject. Zoom lenses offer close-ups of your subject with sharp focus. You can take very good close-ups of flowers, bugs, stamps, coins, etc.
9 - You can rework the image in a computer. Any photo editing software can rework the images taken.
10 - You can take good pictures even in low-light situations. Due to flexible over sensitivity or ISO equivalents, digital cameras can easily take detailed pictures even in low-light conditions.
11 - You can take quality still photos of moving objects. Sports and fashion photography can be easily accomplished due to the fast burst rate of digital cameras.
12 - You save money. There is no need of buying photographic films, developing them into negatives and positives. Moreover, the batteries are usually rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which last a long time.
13 - You can choose as per your needs and fancy. Many models are available like standard digital camera, underwater digital camera, waterproof digital camera, compact digital camera, and the professional digital camera.
Storage Media:
Digital cameras use memory to capture and store images. Some of the storages media used are onboard flash memory, 3.5″ floppy disks, video floppy disk, PCMCIA hard drives, CD or DVD, CompactFlash memory cards, Microdrives, Memory Stick, SD/MMC, MiniSD Card, MicroSD Card, XD-Picture Card, SmartMedia, and FP Memory.
Power:
Digital cameras consume a lot of power, which is supplied by powerful, small in size batteries. Batteries are broadly divided into two groups, namely, off-the-shelf and proprietary. Off-the-shelf batteries are like AA, CR2, CR-V3, AAA, and RCR-V3. They are lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. Standard AA non-rechargeable alkaline batteries either do not work or work for only a very short time in most cameras.
Proprietary batteries are built as per the manufacturer`s custom specifications and are usually available as aftermarket replacement parts. Generally, lithium ion batteries are widely used as proprietary batteries for digital cameras.
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19 Sep 08 Tips On Buying A Good Digital Camera
Author: David Swanson
One of the top selling items on the market today is the digital camera. People enjoy taking pictures when on a trip or vacation, at sporting events, when the flowers are in bloom and just about any other occasion that may arise. Countless teens are taking pictures at the most random events in order to put them on their “myspace” page. Pictures capture moments and preserve memories. With a digital camera you are able to save these photos on your computer and print them at your convenience. Instead of wasting a roll of film that you used to use in a regular camera, you are able photograph as many things as you want and delete the bad shots and save only the best digital images. So the real question is; which digital camera is the best to buy?
There are so many digital cameras on the market today it can be very difficult to make a decision. If you go to any store with an electronics department or if you are looking online, you are bound to see a whole line up of different digital cameras promising the best product with highest quality photos. It is helpful if you have a friend who is knowledgeable about digital cameras. They can possibly steer you in the right direction.
If you are not lucky enough to have such a friend, I have listed a few key things to look for when shopping for a digital camera. One of the first things to look for in a digital camera is the amount of mega pixels. The higher the mega pixel the digital camera has the better photo quality you will receive. This means that when you try and enlarge the picture, the resolution of the photo is going to be better or possibly worse depending on the different mega pixel levels. If you have a one mega pixel camera, when enlarging your photo, the quality is going to quickly deteriorate. The opposite will occur with your digital photos when you have a seven mega pixel digital camera. Another thing to look for when selecting a digital camera is the LCD screen. The better digital cameras will provide a LCD screen so you can frame your picture easier. Try to find a camera with a LCD screen about 2.5 inches or larger for maximum results. Also notice the zoom strength when you are researching digital cameras. The best digital cameras will provide up to a 10x digital zoom for your all your close-ups.
It is not always necessary to spend a lot of money. Keep your eyes open for the sales. We were able to purchase a very high quality digital camera with 7.5 mega pixels on sale and have been very satisfied with our photos.
Taking pictures with a digital camera is a great way to capture moments that will stay with you forever. It is important to purchase a high quality digital camera in order to save these precious moments. There is a variety of digital cameras available on the market, so do your research before choosing the one for you.
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19 Sep 08 Olympus Digital Camera: the Emperor
Author: Article Manager
Beautiful moments as well as some dazzling moments can occur any time without any previous warning. At that time, everyone wish to capture those moments. Now there is an option by that one can capture the beautiful moments easily and this option is digital camera. There are many camera manufacturers available in the market. Olympus is different from all. It is to be known as one of the oldest camera manufacturers.
This camera manufacturer has completed a long journey in manufacturing field of cameras. Its digital cameras are being used all over the world today. Olympus digital camera offers variety of zoom, lenses and mega-pixels. Even though digital cameras had been offered by various other digital camera manufacturers during the 80’s and 90’s. They were not of very high quality and also were not suited for web publishing and making low resolution prints.
Olympus digital cameras are designed in such a way that users get quick right to use to most if not all features including setting flash and also deleting picture that simply requires pressing a single button. Moreover, these digital cameras also allow users to simply print pictures without the need of any connecting cable. Thus, when in the year 1996, Olympus digital cameras come in way of life, and the world of digital camera underwent a major change.
That time Olympus digital cameras together with P&S type of cameras that had an excellent motion. Continue improvement in the camera made Olympus mature and in 2000, it started to offer 2 and 3 mega-pixels cameras. It also features stabilizing digital images so that burs can be done away that may have been caused by shuddering cameras or because of objects that were moving, which allows users to obtain crisper as well as clearer pictures. Another main advantage of the Olympus digital camera is that users can use them in all weather conditions. Its designs allows for seals and gaskets that protect the camera and allow users to shoot without perturbing about rain, or snow, or sunshine.
Olympus houses a range of digital cameras. Few of them are mentioned here: Olympus Stylus 770 SW, EVOLT E-510, Olympus FE-230, and Olympus EVOLT E-410, FE-280, SP-550 ultra zoom, SP-560 UZ, Stylus 790 SW, and SP-320 and many others. With the considerable selection of the choice in the series of digital cameras presented by Olympus, you will be certain to find something that fulfills your needs. For your right choice about Olympus digital camera, you are to search over the internet and you will find different serious of digital camera.
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19 Sep 08 History And Type Of Digital Cameras
Author: Roberto Sedycias
A digital camera is such a camera that will take either video or still snaps digitally. It records the images digitally on a light-sensitive sensor. Some digital cameras can take still snaps as well as video and audio. The digital cameras have become very popular nowadays and more and more people are opting for rather than regular cameras.
Digital cameras are technologically much advanced and have many user-friendly features that are usually not found in regular cameras. One such very good feature is that it displays the image on the camera’s screen just after you catch it. Thus you can click and record millions and millions of pictures, keep the ones you want and discard the others. After the pictures or videos are recorded, you can edit the images and thus can be a virtual master of the background, people etc. Imagine the fun when you can change the background of a picture taken at your home to be changed to a Hawaiian beach, or changing the hair color of your sister to a wild pink and many other things. The choices are unlimited.
Nowadays digital cameras can be incorporated in many devices like PDAs or mobile phones or computers etc. Some astronomical devices like Hubble Space Telescope also use specialized digital cameras.
Digital camera technology has evolved from the similar technology that first recorded television images. It was in 1951 when the first video tape recorder was used to capture live images using television cameras. They converted the information in electrical impulses and saved the information on magnetic tape. It was actually due to NASA`s space technology that used digital images to capture photographs of surface of moon and advanced computer technology that led to major developments in digital photography.
Government was also using this technology in forms of spy camera and the time that being spy satellites and it contributed immensely in advancement of science of digital imaging. Soon private companies like Kodak, Sony etc were releasing professional digital cameras for ordinary people. Their strong marketing tactics worked and today digital cameras are found everywhere.
There are many varieties of digital camera and we will discuss some of them. Compact digital cameras are one of such varieties and are designed to be small as well as portable. The miniature versions are called subcompact cameras. Though they do not have much advanced features or excellent image quality but they are very simple to use and easy to carry around. Images are stored using Lossy compression in JPEG format. Such cameras are generally equipped with a low power, built-in flash usually sufficient for close subjects. Live preview is generally used for framing the photos. They are perfect for casual and home use.
Another type are Bridge cameras that are higher-end cameras. They resemble DSLRs and also share some advanced features with them but just like compact cameras, the photo framing is done with help of live preview and they also have small sized sensors. A Fuji film FinePix Bridge camera is also equipped with super zoom lenses that give you a chance to take very distant shots, though at the cost of image quality.
Another type is Digital single lens reflex cameras that are based on film SLRs or single-lens reflex cameras. These cameras are characterized by the presence of a mirror-reflex system. Other types include rangefinder and are generally used for film cameras, professional modular digital cameras that are assembled from different modular components and used for specific purposes. The common brands for such cameras include Mamiya and Hasselblad.
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19 Sep 08 Consumer Reports - Digital Cameras
Digital cameras, which employ reusable memory cards instead of film, give you far more creative control than film cameras can. With a digital camera, you can transfer shots to your computer, then crop, adjust color and contrast, and add textures and other special effects. Final results can be made into cards or T-shirts, or sent via e-mail, all using the software that usually comes with the camera. You can make prints on a color inkjet printer, or by dropping off the memory card at one of a growing number of photofinishers. You can upload the file to a photo-sharing Web site for storage, viewing, and sharing with others.
Like camcorders, digital cameras have LCD viewers. Some camcorders can be used to take still pictures, but a typical camcorder’s resolution is no match for a good still camera’s.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE
The leading brands are Canon, Fujifilm, HP, Kodak, Olympus, and Sony; other brands come from consumer-electronics, computer, and traditional camera and film companies.
Digital cameras are categorized by how many pixels, or picture elements, the image sensor contains. One megapixel equals 1 million picture elements. A 3-megapixel camera can make excellent 8×10s and pleasing 11×14s. There are also 4- to 8-megapixel models, including point-and-shoot ones; these are well suited for making larger prints or for maintaining sharpness if you want to use only a portion of the original image. Professional Digital cameras use as many as 14 megapixels.
Price range: $200 to $400 for 3 megapixels; $250 to $400 for 4 and 5 megapixels; $300 to $1,000 for 6 to 8 megapixels.
IMPORTANT FEATURES
Most Digital cameras are highly automated, with features such as automatic exposure control (which manages the shutter speed, aperture, or both according to available light) and autofocus.
Instead of film, digital cameras typically record their shots onto flash-memory cards. CompactFlash and SecureDigital (SD) are the most widely used. Once quite expensive, such cards have tumbled in price–a 128-megabyte card can now cost less than $50. Other types of memory cards used by cameras include Memory Stick, Smart Media and xD-picture card. A few cameras, mainly some Sony models, use 3 1/4-inch CD-R or CD-RW discs.
To save images, you transfer them to a computer, typically by connecting the camera to the computer’s USB or FireWire port or inserting the memory card into a special reader. Some printers can take memory cards and make prints without putting the images on a computer first. Image-handling software, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, Jasc Paint Shop, Microsoft Picture It, and ACDSee, lets you size, touch up, and crop digital images using your computer. Most digital cameras work with both Windows and Macintosh machines.
The file format commonly used for photos is JPEG, which is a compressed format. Some cameras can save photos in uncompressed TIFF format, but this setting yields enormous files. Other high-end cameras have a RAW file format, which yields the image data with no processing from the camera.
Digital cameras typically have both an optical viewfinder and a small color LCD viewer. LCD viewers are very accurate in framing the actual image you get–better than most of the optical viewfinders–but they use more battery power and may be hard to see in bright sunlight. You can also view shots you’ve already taken on the LCD viewer. Many digital cameras provide a video output, so you can view your pictures on a TV set.
Certain cameras let you record an audio clip with a picture. But these clips use additional storage space. Some allow you to record limited video, but the frame rate is slow and the resolution poor.
A zoom lens provides flexibility in framing shots and closes the distance between you and your subject–ideal if you want to quickly switch to a close shot. The typical 3x zoom on mainstream cameras goes from a moderately wide-angle view (35mm) to moderate telephoto (105mm). You can find cameras with extended zoom ranges between 8x and 12x, giving added versatility for outdoor photography. Other new cameras go down to 24 or 28 mm at the wide-angle end, making it easier to take in an entire scene in close quarters, such as a crowded party.
Optical zooms are superior to digital zooms, which magnify the center of the frame without actually increasing picture detail, resulting in a somewhat coarser view.
Sensors in digital cameras are typically about as light-sensitive as ISO 100 film, though some let you increase that setting. (At ISO 100, you’ll likely need to use a flash indoors and in low outdoor light.) A camera’s flash range tells you how far from the camera the flash will provide proper exposure: If the subject is out of range, you’ll know to close the distance. But digital cameras can tolerate some underexposure before the image suffers noticeably.
Red-eye reduction shines a light toward your subject just before the main flash. (A camera whose flash unit is farther from the lens reduces the risk of red eye. Computer editing of the image may also correct red eye.) With automatic flash mode, the camera fires the flash whenever the light entering the camera registers as insufficient. A few new cameras have built-in red-eye correction capability.
Some cameras that have powerful telephoto lenses now come with image stabilizers. These compensate for camera shake, letting you use a slower shutter speed than you otherwise could for following movement. But an image stabilizer won’t compensate for the motion of subjects.
Most new 6- to 8-megapixel cameras come with full manual controls, including independent controls for shutter and aperture. That gives serious shutterbugs control over depth of field, shooting action, or shooting scene with tricky lighting.
HOW TO CHOOSE
The first step is to determine how you will use the camera most of the time. Consider these two questions:
How much flexibility to enlarge images do you need? If you mainly want to make 4×6 snapshots, a camera with a 3- or 4-megapixel resolution will be fine. Such a camera will also make an 8×10 print of an entire image without alteration that looks as sharp as one from a 6- or 8-megapixel model. But to enlarge the image more or enlarge only part of it, you’ll want a 6- to 8-megapixel camera.
How much control do you want over exposure and composition? Cameras meant for automatic point-and-shoot photos, with a 3x-zoom lens, will serve snap shooters as well as dedicate hobbyists much of the time. The full-featured cameras in the 6- to 8-megapixel range offer capabilities that more-dedicated photographers will want to have. Two of the more important capabilities are a zoom range of 5x to 10x or more, which lets you bring distant outdoor subjects close and also lets you shoot candid portraits without getting right in your subject’s face, and a full complement of manual controls that you determine the shutter speed and lens opening. ‘
Once you’ve established the performance priorities that you need from a camera, you can narrow your choices further by considering these convenience factors:
Size and weight. The smallest, lightest models aren’t necessarily inexpensive 3-megapixel cameras. And the biggest and heaviest aren’t necessarily found at the high end. If possible, try cameras at the store before you buy. That way, you’ll know which one fits you hand best and which can be securely gripped. In our tests, we have found that some of the smallest don’t leave much room even for small fingers.
Battery type and life. All digital cameras can run on rechargeable batteries of one of two types: an expensive battery pack or a set of AA batteries. In our tests of the cameras, neither battery type had a clear performance advantage. The best-performing cameras offer upward of 300 shots on a charge, while the worst manage only about 50. We think it’s more convenient to own a camera that accepts AA batteries. You can buy economical, rechargeable cells (plus a charger) and drop in a set of disposable lithium or alkaline batteries if the rechargeable run down in the middle of the day’s shooting.
Camera speed. With point-and-shoot cameras like the ones we tested, you must wait after each shot as the camera processes the image. Most models let you shoot an image every few seconds, but a few make you wait 5 seconds or more. They may frustrate you when you’re taking photos in sequence.
Your other cameras. If you’re adding a camera to your lineup or trading up to a more versatile model, look first for one that’s compatible with the other cameras. If it is, you can share memory cards and batteries. Designs within a camera brand line are often similar. So staying wit the brand you have lowers the learning curve on the new camera for family members who switch between cameras.
Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.
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