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21 Sep 08 Nikon Announces Seven New COOLPIX Cameras With Consumer’s Digital Photography Needs in Mind

’s New COOLPIX Put Performance and Style in Your Life

Announces Seven New COOLPIX Cameras With Consumer’s Digital Needs in Mind

’s New COOLPIX Put Performance and Style in Your Life

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 21 — Looking for a premier with your needs in mind? Whether you’re a first time consumer, looking to update your old , a person who enjoys sharing your or an experienced looking for a compact , ’s 2006 COOLPIX line has a camera and feature set that is right for you. Today, announced the addition of seven new COOLPIX cameras adding to its Life, Style and Performance Series. Developed with the consumer in mind, has combined exceptional features with world-renowned quality design and style at attractive prices.

“Consumers requested small, sharp, powerful and easy-to-use that can capture and share moments and ,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for 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 , and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is ’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to underexposed due to excessive backlight or insufficient ,
blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:

– In-Camera Red-Eye Fix(TM): automatically detects and corrects , a common condition that occurs in . You may never see 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 with excessive backlight or insufficient illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.
– Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry 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 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.

Made Easy with ’s COOLPIX L-Series

If you are looking for an easy to use, compact that takes great right out of the box, the COOLPIX L Series is a perfect fit. The COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4 feature high-quality components, including a 3x optical -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 and SD card compatible. With generous effective values of 6.0 for the COOLPIX L2, 5.1 for the and 4.0 for the COOLPIX L4, users have the ability to produce clear, crisp . A choice of 15 Scene Modes - including four with Scene Assist - Best Shot Selector (BSS), Single and Continuous AF, Choice of and Noise reduction help users create 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 ’s COOLPIX S Series

The stylish COOLPIX S5 and S6 combine high-quality imaging performance with impressive digital sharing technology. The sleek, modern wave design of the S Series cameras, along with 6.0 effective and a 3x optical -Nikkor ED Glass lens, make them ideal for the user who wants a camera with added style. Sharing digital is easy with the new Pictmotion(TM) function, which allows users to select their favorite , 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 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 Fix and Face Priority AF options.

To ensure quality 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 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 ’s COOLPIX P-Series

The COOLPIX P3 and P4 combine 8.1 effective with a range of advanced in-camera technologies. Designed for the who enjoys customization and the ability to control their , the P Series cameras feature an innovative Vibration Reduction (VR) capability. Originally developed for SLR , 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 settings. Covering a broader area of the frame, the new 11 wide-area AF achieves better results in more diverse compositions - leaving 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 to produce better suited to their own personal tastes - through the use of three effects that vary brightness, color intensity, noise reduction and more. To help 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 taken.

The COOLPIX P3 comes with built in Wi-Fi capability that allows for wireless transfer of 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 Makes Memories Easy and Affordable

User Friendly Cameras with High-Quality Components

MELVILLE, NY (February 21, 2006) - The COOLPIX family of is pleased to announce the addition of three new cameras in its L, or Life, series. The COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4 combine high-quality design and construction with easy to use features available at affordable prices. All three cameras boast a sharp 3x optical -Nikkor lens, a big, bright 2.0-inch LCD and lightweight, compact body style (slimmest in it’s class with AA-type ) while offering high of 6.0 effective for the COOLPIX L2, 5.1 effective for the and 4.0 effective for the COOLPIX L4.

“The COOLPIX L-series cameras are ideal for entry-level to intermediate users who are looking for easy to use, beautifully designed cameras” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for , Inc. “Each of these cameras feature ’s Exclusive Feature System, which helps users improve their in-camera. With these attractive price points and easy operability, anyone can take better right out of the box.”

has developed the L Series with the snapshot consumer in mind and created well-featured cameras that can easily turn those into lasting . Unique to COOLPIX , and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is ’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to dark , blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:

- In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™: automatically detects and corrects , a common condition that occurs in . You may never see 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 with excessive backlight or insufficient illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.
- Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry 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.

Additionally, the L Series cameras include handy features such as, TV Quality Movie Mode** function (recording movies at up to 30fps with sound on the L2 and L3), Single and Continuous AF, Choice of and Noise Reduction to ensure better color reproduction in darker lighting conditions.

The COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4 all have a streamlined, easy to carry design that features a smooth, stylish finish and a curved grip that contributes to both design elegance and shooting stability. Adding to the cameras’ convenient portability, all of L-series models are AA-size and SD card compatible, with 32 MB of internal for the L2 and L3 and 16MB for the L4. If the user is unsure of which camera setting to use, the on-camera Help button can be pressed to display simple explanations for functions in the main menu. Each camera is packaged with a complimentary copy of ’s PictureProject™ Software.

The big, bright, easy-to-view 2.0-inch LCD features new icons, function selection and color scheme and a choice of 15 Scene Modes - including four with Scene Assist, which displays useful framing guides in the monitor helping the user to compose the shot with optimal results - providing users with the ability to achieve crisp, clear in a variety of situations such as Beach/Snow, Fireworks, Museum, Party/Indoor and more.

The COOLPIX 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 COOLPIX L4 will be available in March 2006 with an MSRP of $149.95. For more information about the L-series cameras and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www..com.

*Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.
** COOLPIX L4 does not record sound in the Movie Mode.

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21 Sep 08 COOLPIX P3 and P4 Offer Powerful Performance

Incorporates SLR-Inspired Technology Into a Compact

MELVILLE, NY (February 21, 2006) - today announced the COOLPIX P3 and P4, an expansion to its more advanced and feature-rich P, or Performance, Series of . Designed for the who enjoys a high level of control, advanced imaging technologies and the ability to take creative control of their , these two exciting new cameras combine 8.1 effective with a wide range of advanced in-camera technologies, taking to the next level.

“The COOLPIX P3 and P4 are the perfect camera for consumers who are looking for a customizable experience,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for , Inc. “These cameras take many technologies first available in ’s SLR line and makes them readily and easily available to consumers looking for a capable, compact at a very attractive price.”

has added its Vibration Reduction (VR) system, a feature adapted directly from ’s world-renowned SLR , to the P Series cameras allowing them to capture rock-steady at of up to three stops slower that could normally be hand held. VR capability is available at the push of a button 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. An electronic adaptation of Vibration Reduction also applies to movie shooting, allowing for sharp video in low light conditions and keeping subjects clear during panning while helping to support faster framing on the cameras’ incredible, bright 2.5-inch LCD.

COOLPIX P Series users will enjoy the flexibility of a full array of settings similar to ’s SLR models. Covering a broader area of the frame, the new 11 wide-area AF achieves better results in more diverse compositions - leaving free to concentrate on the shot while the camera automatically achieves superior, sharp focus almost anywhere in the frame. In addition, there are 17 shooting modes, including nine advanced scene modes that allow to produce better suited to their own personal tastes - through the use of three effects that vary brightness, color intensity, , noise reduction and more.

To add even greater control, both cameras offer Aperture-priority Auto mode to let benefit from aperture control in 1/3EV steps. Users can select large apertures for attractive background blurring or stop down to small apertures to extend crisp focus into the distance - all while the camera automatically selects the most appropriate for optimized exposure.

To help 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 taken. This speed allows the P Series cameras to be a great companion for SLR shooters looking for a smaller but powerful camera to take anywhere.

An addition to the successful COOLPIX P1 and P2 cameras, the new P3 also comes equipped with the ability to transfer wirelessly through the camera’s built in Wi-Fi feature*. ’s wireless solution is fun and convenient and allows consumers to send their wirelessly to a computer. In addition, can be sent wirelessly to any PictBridge-enabled printer**. The Wi-Fi feature to transfer to a computer is built into the camera and requires no additional accessories.

Unique to COOLPIX , and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is ’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to underexposed due to excessive backlight or insufficient , blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:

- In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™: automatically detects and corrects , a common condition that occurs in . You may never see 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 with excessive backlight or insufficient illumination, adding light and detail where necessary
- Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry 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.

Additionally, the P Series cameras include handy features such as, TV Quality Movie Mode
function (recording movies at up to 30 fps with sound limited only by the available , Single and Continuous AF, Choice of and Noise Reduction to ensure better color reproduction in darker lighting conditions.

The COOLPIX P3 and P4 will be available in March 2006 with a MSRP of $449.95 and $399.95, respectively. The Wireless Print Adaptor (PD-10) is currently available and has an MSRP of $49.95. For more information about these models and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www..com.

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21 Sep 08 Nikon COOLPIX Style Series Adds Slideshows With Your Music and Wave Design

’s New 6.0- COOLPIX S5 and S6 Perform As Great As They Look

MELVILLE, NY (February 21, 2006) - today announced a stylish and edgy addition to the COOLPIX S, or Style, Series of . The new COOLPIX S5 and S6 combine high-quality imaging performance with impressive new Pictmotion™ sharing technology to make the S5 and S6 the must-have compact . Both the S5 and S6 have sleek, slim wave designs, appealing to users who want their cameras to look as great as the they take. Each camera boasts 6.0 effective and features a 3x -Nikkor ED Glass lens.

“Along with other products of great design, ’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 Inc. “Beyond style, the introduction of Pictmotion technology, huge, bright and a new Rotary Multi Selector turn the S5 and S6 cameras into fun tools for taking and sharing digital .”

Unique to COOLPIX , and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is ’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to dark , blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:

- In-Camera Red-Eye Fixâ„¢: automatically detects and corrects , a common condition that occurs in . You may never see 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 with excessive backlight or insufficient illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.
- Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry 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 Fix options. To ensure quality 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 at 30fps with sound.

Sharing digital 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 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 playback at up to 10 frames per second. Another new feature for the COOLPIX S5 and S6 includes a calendar function that automatically sorts according to the date that they were taken. For added in camera assistance, created a Help button, which is now standard on all ’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 to any PictBridge-enabled printer. For wireless printing of without a computer 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..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 The New Face of Photography: Nikon Unveils New Technology That Allows Its Cameras to Find a Face in a Portrait Shot

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 24 — Common shooting situations have continued to pose unique challenges to casual snap-shooters, like avoiding dark and blurred subjects in portraits. engineers dared to ask, ‘How can we address these issues within the camera?’

The answer is a new suite of technology designed specifically for the Coolpix line of that includes the proprietary Face Priority (AF), In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and the new D-Lighting feature. These technologies work together in conjunction with the camera to make it easier than ever to capture great .

Face Priority Ensures Sharp Portraits

Imagine a camera smart enough to find a face in a scene. ’s new Face-Priority AF can do just that when selected using the camera’s Portrait Scene Mode. As its name suggests, Face-Priority AF uses technology transparent to the user to actually identify up to three faces within a scene and then sets the camera’s focus point accordingly. The function even brackets the faces on the camera’s and tracks the faces if they move about during composition. With multiple faces, the camera will determine its focus points based on the closest subject within the shot. The bracket shows confirmation once focus is locked and then turns green to prompt the user to take the . The result is crisp, sharp portraits at the press of a single button.

“Face Priority AF is a revolutionary step forward for the everyday snap shooter,” said Bill Giordano, General Manager of Marketing for Inc. “This state-of-the-art technology, makes taking beautiful as easy as turning on the camera, framing the shot and pressing the shutter release. It’s really that simple.”

In-Camera Red-Eye Fix Says Goodbye to

Beyond faces, most Coolpix cameras can automatically detect and remove red-eye directly within the camera with ’s exclusive In-Camera Red-Eye Fix(TM) technology. This elegant solution to common red-eye detects and corrects red eyes in most typical situations without the need to press buttons or select and highlight the eyes in playback. ’s red-eye solution is completely transparent to the user and the result is simple - less red-eye straight from the camera.

D-Lighting Addresses and Eliminates Dark
Tricky lighting situations or insufficient can sometimes lead to dark . ’s new D-Lighting function is a tool to fix problems that occur with excessive backlighting and underexposed from affecting the quality of the resulting . D-Lighting, selected in Playback, automatically compensates for insufficient or excessive back lighting in order to obtain a balanced exposure throughout the frame. After applying D-Lighting, the camera saves the original image and a corrected copy to the camera’s internal or removable . An application of D-Lighting can literally turn a dark, throwaway shot into a frame-able .

A combination of these exclusive and exciting new technologies are available on new Coolpix including the Coolpix 4600, 5600, 5900, 7900 and S1. For more information, please visit http://www..com.

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20 Sep 08 Types and Models of Polaroid Digital Cameras

Author:

The type of camera with self-developing is known as . makes the famous .
Based on the type of used, can be classified. The older Polaroids used instant roll. Roll films were of two types: Positive or developing agent and negative. These rolls were available in three sizes. Pack was later used in cameras, in which the has to pull the from the camera for developing and subsequently the positive and the negative have to be peeled separately while developing. This Pack was available initially in a rectangular format and later in square format. Subsequent Polaroids such as the once famous SX-70 model utilized a square format integral , which had the developer, negative, fixer etc in the same . Development of each exposure was automatic once the shot is taken.
That’s the history of . Polaroid are now available in various types. You should be happy to know that there are certain models designed specially for a good cause. The m635P model from was designed solely for promotion of breast cancer research. along with actress Elizabeth Hurley initiated to offer a combined donation of $60,000 for the above Research foundation in the year 2006. Pink, light pink and magenta models of Polaroid were launched especially for the above good cause and awareness.
One more noted achievement from Polaroid is the launch of the ION which combines high-end features and is easy to use. This ION has an on-board of 8MB and is light and compact, suitable for traveling people. Other features of this ION include automatic with auto exposure, a 10-second electronic timer, the capacity to capture AVI video clips along with audio like a web cam, 640 x 460 , Arc Soft software on DVD, two AAA and a USB cable.
Another great model from Polaroid is PDC 4355, which has glass of high quality for and normal, 4.2 MP , 3x Optical and a fast sensor. This is a good camera for for point and shoot simplicity coupled with great . In the 3x optical and 4x digital modes, the glass lens system permits for exposures for distances of 15 centimeters to infinity and has three modes for and video clip functions.
This Polaroid has other features such as , , Inbuilt having the on, off and and auto modes. The PDC 4355 model has an Inbuilt of 16 MB to store your video clips and , later expandable up to 256MB with any available Secure Digital card. This camera also supports Print Image Matching feature that has the ability to have the camera and mode settings along with the recorded.
You can easily upload the to your computer through an USB cable by using the software ‘ Impression 5.0’. This software can launch your desktop automatically, detect any new in the camera and permit you to transfer them to your computer at the click of the OK button. This handy camera allows you to take within a few minutes of receiving and is powered by two AA .

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20 Sep 08 Canon Elf Digital Camera Will Make an Exellent Choice for the Choice Hobbyist Photographer

Author: wa Wanjiru

have been used for different occasions and events. These events can be weddings, birthdays and of nature. The various are suited for both the novice as well as the more experienced professional. In the range the Elf has the ability to provide superior to the users.

The various models of Elf are about the size of a credit card. The Elf is considered to be among the smallest that have been produced. While this camera is small in size it still manages to give you high quality .

The Elf cases are made from strong substances like steel that will protect the from a variety of difficulties that you may encounter. The stylish look will make this an appealing for you to buy. Most of the newly made Elf cameras have a flat appearance.

Some of these will have an automatic . This cover will protect your when it is not in use. Since the Elf camera is made from steel and it has a protective covering for the you can take this camera along with you whenever you go out.

There are many great features that can be found with the different like reduction, fast , and a variety of scene modes like automatic, sports action mode, portrait mode, and .

Most of the that are being sold in the world are known by one name like , and Elura . The Elf models will have other names in a variety of countries.

For instance, in Japan the Elf is called the Ixy , and in Europe and South East Asia it goes under the name of .

The best fact that is known and recognized about the Elf range is that it has been designed to merge traditional with that of digital .

The many experts who review various state that the Elf line has some superior products that are excellent for anyone who is looking to expend their taking abilities with no problems.

The Elf will make an excellent choice for the amateur hobbyist who is looking to expend their , and also for the novice who is just starting out on their photographing jaunts.

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19 Sep 08 Guide to Buying a Digital Camera

Author: Andrew Gates

The market today offers buyers a large number of choices, with products in widely differing price ranges, sizes and degree of operational complexity. From miniatures the size of a credit card, to fully functional (Single ) systems, you can buy a from manufacturers including brands such as , , , companies such as and , and consumer electronic companies like . Then there are other options that include the mobile phone manufacturers, and webcam suppliers.

The advantages of digital are numerous. Topmost is the fact that there is no processing: expensive both in cost and time. But there is also the advantage of smaller sized equipment, portable media and instant viewing. And if you don’t like what you see, you simply delete it and shoot again: no wastage.

If you like to take , being a digital makes a lot of sense. But which camera is the best one for you? In a field of excess abundance, how do you narrow down what you need? How much to pay? How many ? (What are they anyway?) Which brand? How much ?

Digital CamerasEvery shopper is different.

At MyShopping.com.au we recognise this fact, and so we list practically all brands and models from hundreds of suppliers. These listings include the cold hard digital data facts about each camera and a range of comparative pricings offered by different suppliers. But just as every shopper is different, every is different too. And just having the facts may not make you feel any more knowledgeable about which camera is right for you.

You could begin with the question: What sort of will you take with your new ? This is a valid starting point because from here you can begin to qualify your requirements in terms of technical capability and price. What sort of will you take with your new ?

Is it simply for happy snaps whenever you get together with friends and family at weekends and holidays? Or are you a serious bird watcher and you want to capture nature at its finest? Perhaps you want a camera for work to record your inventory, or recording information from a client. Maybe you’re a PI on a mission. The point is, you need to begin by recognising that your reason for buying a may not be the same as that of your best friend who is recommending the model she bought.

Once you’ve figured out the sort of you are going to take, you can then set about deciding on the type of camera that will meet your needs. If you need something highly portable that fits in your shirt pocket or your handbag and lets you take it anywhere you go, make size a big consideration. If you want to take seriously good , and you want to pursue an artistic endeavour, make image flexibility your main concern.

It might also be worthwhile considering your own position in the digital experience. Are you a novice about to buy your first camera, do you have some intermediate experience, or are you an advanced user?

Someone new to the market will likely not want to spend a lot of money, nor have a lot of mind-boggling features that leave you confused. There are cameras ideal for beginning users that have basic ‘point and shoot’ features including optical and digital lens, flexible media and built in . There is a huge range of cameras available with simple features at low cost.

If you consider yourself an intermediate user with some operational knowledge of technology, you may want to consider more advanced features that give you more control over the you take. These features usually come in a range of automatic settings and manual settings for capturing the image and different options in terms of and type (raw data, jpeg, tiff). Naturally there is some cost attached to additional features when compared to more basic cameras.

For advanced users, there are a lot of professional options you can consider; such as SLR view finding and lens interchange ability. Cameras in this range provide much greater control over the image, both before and once it is captured. These options include and aperture adjustment, and many cameras offer the ability to manipulate ‘in camera’, such as cropping, and brightness and contrast adjustments.

After the is taken

A further main consideration is what are you going to do with your once you have them? The great beauty of digital is the simple fact that you can store them on digital media such as CDs and media cards, and view them on computer screens and in many cases, your television. You need print only when and those you want to see, or show to others. Digital also gives fantastic opportunities to manipulate your using popular image manipulation programs, resizing them, altering brightness and contrast characteristics, and correcting problems such as , or removing skin blemishes.

Most are computer ready, able to plug directly into your PC or Mac using USB connectors. They usually include proprietary software allowing you to easily and instantly manage your image files in albums or slide shows. Many also include a video capture facility enabling you to take short motion .

What you want to do with your after you have them can have an impact on your choice of camera. If you want to make enlarged prints for example, you will want a high capacity (also talked about as ‘’). If you want for website use, you will want to get the best quality that can be reduced in without severe degradation.

Beauty is in the “I”

Great usually come from great conditions. You capture a great moment, the light is just right, the subject is at the perfect distance, the image is perfectly framed. But not every offers the flexibility to make the best of existing light conditions, or position. Most (certainly at the budget end) come with a built in automatic , which is terrific for happy snaps in darkened environments. And the automatic automatically does not ‘go off’ in bright sunny conditions. But in those times when you want to use the existing light, you need a camera that gives you manual control over the operation or not, of the .

Moreover, most in the lower and medium price ranges are highly automated. If you are moving from a traditional SLR camera where you have maximum control over , aperture and ISO speeds, it may be frustrating to not have easy access to the same range of tools to take advantage of existing light conditions.

In the more advanced (and therefore more expensive) range of , most lens and aperture functions are available in exactly the same way as other . What differs is how the colours and light of the image is translated through capture compared to the chemical processing systems.

You may want a wide range of focus options. Most have two different types of image magnification, lens magnification () that may be equivalent of a to 150 mm lens, and a digital magnification that may be to ten-fold (expressed as x10). This provides you with lens capability, which may be limited in its depth of field control and is subject to and movement if the conditions aren’t just right, and a digital magnification of the image. If being able to capture magnified distant is important to you, you need more , and a lens system that gives you some control over its focus and aperture management.

A final word on accessory

are electronic equipment. That means they run on , and if you use your camera a lot, you will find that you will be frequently replacing . Some cameras have rechargeable ; others simply use dry cells (AA), which you can of course load with rechargeable ones. It pays to have spare so that you always have a charged power source. Some cameras have docking stations to help manage the connection with computers. Many cameras have interchangeable lens systems, some of which may be compatible with traditional SLRs.

You can also print your own at home with special that handle standard paper, and connect directly to your camera. Although it may be less expensive to simply take your camera’s card, or a CD to your local camera store, and now many supermarkets and department stores, and use the automatic printing machines to print the you want.

There is a lot you can do with a , and you can pay les than $200, or more than $10,000. It all depends on how you see yourself as a , what you’re shooting, and what you want to do with your . At Myshopping.com.au you can very quickly compare specifications and prices.

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19 Sep 08 A Handy Digital Camera Review For Those Considering Buying One

Author: Brooke Hayles

In today’s society, A is a must have item if you want to keep up with the latest trends. They are convenient to have and unlike a , you can delete any you do not want right away because as soon as you take the , you can view it. For those of us who are not familiar with what to look for in a camera, a review is very helpful.

Shopping Tips

When you first start shopping for a it can be very confusing. A review can assist you in many ways. It can explain to you the difference in cameras features such as and how many pixels you may need, features digital or optical. If you have little knowledge of , a review may help you save a lot of money by not purchasing a camera that has features you do not need.

Comparison

You will find several models of within the same price ranges.

The A530 is an economical camera that is compact and has features such as 5 , a 4X optical , with reduction, audio recording and date and time stamp.

Another Choice for a that has become popular is the 5MP EasyShare C533.

This camera also has 5 is audio and video capable, but it also has 3X optical and 5X digital . The features of this camera also include and sepia as well as a 4 second .

The 5.1MP is indeed a cool sleek camera to own. It runs on AA and the features include 3X optical and 4X digital . There are four different effects that this camera offers and also comes with audio recording, a blurred warning, and reduction.

As you can see, a review can be very helpful in describing the features of different cameras and can assist you in making an informed choice.

Reviews

Many of the websites that design and sell will have a section for comments and reviews.

The website owners will often provide a to employees and independent contractors to so they can write a review. There is also a section where consumers can leave their comments about the cameras they purchased.

There are a few companies that will hire professionals to conduct a review. These are usually more complete because they list all of the features of every camera they test. The review will cover how many that the camera has as well as the zooms and , video and audio. It is a very thorough review that even includes the weight of the camera.

The one drawback there is to a have a professional review written is that it is done in a very short time. The reviewer is not able to accurately write about the everyday use of the camera over a long period of time.

When the consumer writes a review, they tend to focus on how satisfied they are with the camera. They usually do not list the all of the features; it is more of a personal opinion.

Each of these review types is very useful when a person does not know what to look for in a . They give both the professional and personal view of the product. It is recommended that you read all the reviews before making a decision.

Summary:

have revolutionized the world of , however it can be difficult to choose the camera that is right for you. reviews are designed to give the consumer an overall view of each camera before you make a purchase.

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19 Sep 08 Consumer Reports - Digital Cameras

, which employ reusable cards instead of , give you far more creative control than cameras can. With a , 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 , or by dropping off the card at one of a growing number of photofinishers. You can upload the file to a -sharing Web site for , viewing, and sharing with others.

Like camcorders, have LCD viewers. Some camcorders can be used to take still , but a ’s is no match for a good ’s.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

The leading brands are , , HP, , , and ; other brands come from consumer-electronics, computer, and and companies.

are categorized by how many pixels, or elements, the contains. One equals 1 million elements. A 3- camera can make excellent 8×10s and pleasing 11×14s. There are also 4- to 8- models, including point-and-shoot ones; these are well suited for making larger prints or for maintaining if you want to use only a portion of the original image. Professional use as many as 14 .

Price range: $200 to $400 for 3 ; $250 to $400 for 4 and 5 ; $300 to $1,000 for 6 to 8 .

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Most are highly automated, with features such as automatic (which manages the , aperture, or both according to ) and autofocus.

Instead of , typically record their shots onto - cards. and (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 cards used by cameras include Stick, Smart Media and xD- card. A few cameras, mainly some models, use 3 1/4-inch CD-R or CD-RW discs.

To save , you transfer them to a computer, typically by connecting the camera to the computer’s USB or FireWire port or inserting the card into a special reader. Some can take cards and make prints without putting the on a computer first. Image-handling software, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, Jasc Paint Shop, Microsoft It, and ACDSee, lets you size, touch up, and crop digital using your computer. Most work with both Windows and Macintosh machines.

The file format commonly used for is JPEG, which is a compressed format. Some cameras can save 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.

typically have both an optical and a small color . LCD viewers are very accurate in framing the actual image you get–better than most of the optical viewfinders–but they use more power and may be hard to see in bright sunlight. You can also view shots you’ve already taken on the . Many provide a video output, so you can view your on a TV set.

Certain cameras let you record an audio clip with a . But these clips use additional space. Some allow you to record limited video, but the frame rate is slow and the poor.

A 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 on mainstream cameras goes from a moderately wide-angle view () to moderate telephoto (105mm). You can find cameras with extended ranges between 8x and 12x, giving added versatility for outdoor . 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 detail, resulting in a somewhat coarser view.

Sensors in are typically about as light-sensitive as ISO 100 , though some let you increase that setting. (At ISO 100, you’ll likely need to use a indoors and in low outdoor light.) A camera’s range tells you how far from the camera the will provide proper exposure: If the subject is out of range, you’ll know to close the distance. But can tolerate some underexposure before the image suffers noticeably.

Red-eye reduction shines a light toward your subject just before the main . (A camera whose unit is farther from the lens reduces the risk of . Computer editing of the image may also correct .) With automatic mode, the camera fires the 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 now come with image stabilizers. These compensate for camera shake, letting you use a slower than you otherwise could for following movement. But an won’t compensate for the motion of subjects.

Most new 6- to 8- 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 do you need? If you mainly want to make 4×6 , a camera with a 3- or 4- 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- model. But to enlarge the image more or enlarge only part of it, you’ll want a 6- to 8- camera.

How much control do you want over exposure and composition? Cameras meant for automatic point-and-shoot , with a 3x- lens, will serve snap shooters as well as dedicate hobbyists much of the time. The full-featured cameras in the 6- to 8- range offer that more-dedicated will want to have. Two of the more important are a 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 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- 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.

type and life. All can run on rechargeable of one of two types: an expensive pack or a set of AA . In our tests of the cameras, neither 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 . You can buy economical, rechargeable cells (plus a charger) and drop in a set of disposable lithium or alkaline 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 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 cards and . Designs within a camera brand line are often similar. So staying wit the brand you have lowers the learning curve on the 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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