18 Sep 08 Buying a Digital Camera? Read This Buying Guide!
Author: Bob Shanty
Many digital cameras with upgraded technology are being introduced every day. This makes it more difficult to select a camera, as you are left with a wide range of models to choose from. However, most buyers have specific features and needs in mind. Rather than going for the latest model, buy digital cameras that best suit your requirements.
What should I look for when buying a digital camera?
The cheap camera lenses, resolution, display size, performance and battery life should all play a significant role in your buying decision. Here are some features to keep in mind while picking the right camera for yourself.
Resolution is typically defined as the number of pixels that make up a picture. A digital cameras resolution is closely related to image quality. You need a high resolution camera to shoot and print highly detailed photographs. If you want to enlarge and crop any of your photos without loss of clarity, go for cameras that offer a higher resolution. If you do not intend on printing your photographs and would rather email them to friends, a lower resolution camera would be a better choice. They are more affordable and still produce fairly good images.
Memory and Connectivity:
Generally, digital cameras have a removable storage option, such as a memory card slot. Digital cameras support a wide range of formats like flash memory, memory sticks, SecureDigital cards, SmartMedia cards and xD Picture cards. Many TVs, laptops, digital photo frames and some gaming consoles have memory card readers, so you can easily view photos that are stored on memory cards. If you want to save money, store photos on the cameras internal memory rather than on a memory card and transfer them to a PC or Mac using a USB cable. Digital memory is a huge time and money saver!
Rechargeable batteries are highly recommended because they can be charged and reused again. Recent cameras are compatible with NiCad, NiMH and lithium-ion batteries. Though NiCad and NiMH are inexpensive, lithium-ion is worth the extra money. They are long-lasting batteries with low self-discharge rates. You should opt for cameras that are compatible with lithium-ion batteries. A few cameras come with an AC power adapter that can be used to charge the digital camera battery as well.
Zoom:
Digital cameras come with two types of zoom lenses, optical and digital. Both of these zoom lenses allow you to take close-ups of a distant subject, although they accomplish this task through different means. The optical zoom magnifies the image before the shot is taken, whereas the digital zoom artificially magnifies the image by enlarging the pixel area but this leads to a loss of resolution. You should pay more attention to the optical zoom rather than the digital zoom when comparing models.
Modes:
Most cameras available today have preset modes for shooting images under different conditions. Factors such as exposure, aperture, focussing, light metering, white balance and sensitivity can all be adjusted. Many digital cameras also include video capture modes, enabling you to take short videos at different frame rate speeds.
ViewFinders and LCD Displays:
The optical viewfinder is the window you look through when taking a picutre. Although there are digital cameras with viewfinders, several of the latest models have only an LCD display. The LCD screen lets you view an image as you take it and also plays back pictures and videos saved on your camera. Anti-glare screens are best for buyers who plan on shooting a lot of photos outdoors. If you need a durable camera for rough use, opt for a scratch resistant screen.
Technology:
Digital cameras also come with innovative technologies that make photography fun and easy. Do u want to avoid overexposed or darkened faces, recognise multiple faces or optimize the color and tonal qualities of your photos? Not a problem. Todays cameras are well equipped with automatic red-eye and camera shake detection and correction as well as multiple face recognition. Not no meantion tons of
What are the different types of cameras and camera accessories online or available through conventional stores?
Point-and-Shoot Models:
Point-and-shoot cameras are a dime a dozen. These entry level models provide low resolution with little magnification. If you do not want to spend time on focusing and figuring out the settings and controls, a point-and-shoot camera is just the ticket. You will find plenty of these models that are low in cost and easy to use.
Intermediate Models:
These models are especially designed for beginners. Equipped with a range of automatic settings, these consumer-level digital cameras produce flawless pictures. They usually have a resolution of 3.2 to 5 megapixels and a 3:1 to 4:1 zoom lens.
Advanced Consumer Models:
If you have taken a class or photography is one of your hobbies, then you will probably want some additional features. Choose from the many advanced consumer models with higher resolutions, quality lenses and morer zoom. These models let you add features based on your needs and give you the freedom to personalize the settings.
Prosumer Models:
When you buy digital cameras, if consumer models are too basic for you and professional models are too complex, you will love a prosumer model. These sophisticated cameras have the best of both worlds. They have a vast number of options to work with, like switching between automatic and manual focus, selecting the shutter speed and adjusting the aperture settings. You will also have the opportunity to express your creative side by manipulating images. You can adjust the brightness and contrast levels for truly unique snaps. You can expect a minimum of 5 to 6 megapixels in this category. These digital cameras can take 2 to 3 pictures per second, but tend to be more fragile than other models.
Professional Models:
You will need a top of the line model that sports the latest features to meet your high demands, if you are a professional photographer. Professional models are capable of producing high resolution images with magnificent colors and clarity. They have interchangeable lenses and a resolution of up to 14 megapixels. These models are the fastest on the market, allowing you to take 5 pictures per second. Professional digital cameras have a whopping storage option of at least a 1 GB mini hard disk drive, on an average.
Related posts
Tags: batteries, Battery, battery life, buying a digital camera, camera lens, camera lenses, cheap camera, cheap camera lenses, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, digital memory, digital photo frames, digital zoom, display size, flash, flash memory, high resolution camera, image quality, images, interchangeable lenses, internal memory, lcd display, lcd screen, lense, lenses, megapix, megapixel, megapixels, memory, memory card, memory card readers, memory card slot, memory cards, memory memory, memory sticks, optical viewfinder, optical zoom, photo, photograph, photographer, photographs, photography, photos, picture, pictures, pixel, professional digital, professional digital cameras, professional photographer, rechargeable batteries, resolution, resolution camera, resolution resolution, resolutions, right camera, securedigital, shutter speed, sophisticated cameras, storage, storage option, store photos, viewfinder, white balance, xd picture cards, zoom
18 Sep 08 What Digital Camera to Buy? Tips to Help You Decide
Author: Ralph Serpe
Digital cameras are available in a variety of different sizes, colors, brands, zooms, resolutions, etc. The features are endless. There are so many features available in today’s cameras that many first time buyers become overwhelmed and have no clue what digital camera to buy.
So what should a beginner digital photographer look for when buying their first digital camera?
In order to answer this question let us pose a few more:
WHAT KIND OF PICTURES WILL YOU BE TAKING?
This is an important first step in deciding what digital camera to buy. If you are planning on becoming a professional photographer and will be taking high quality shots to possibly sell, any old digital camera will not do. You will have to pay careful attention to the types of features you will need like resolution, megapixels, zooming, etc.
If you are a casual photographer and simply want a descent camera to share with friends and family then you may not need a bunch of fancy gadgets and features.
WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?
No matter what your needs and wants are as a photographer your finances will ultimately dictate what type of camera you can afford. Set a budget and stick to it.
WHAT RESOURCES WILL YOU NEED?
Depending on the digital camera that you purchase, you may need additional resources to use it to its full potential. If you plan on doing any photo editing or printing, you will need a computer and a printer that is compatible with your camera and software. The editing software is usually included with your digital camera but other devices like memory cards are usually not.
WHAT RESOLUTION WILL YOU REQUIRE ON YOUR CAMERA?
Before you buy your first digital camera make sure you learn more about its capacity to produce high quality images. This is determined by the number of megapixels the camera has. The more pixels, the higher the resolution. This is important because you want your images to retain their quality when you enlarge them.
HOW MUCH MEMORY WILL YOU NEED?
You will need a memory card for your digital camera in order to store your pictures. When you buy a digital camera, make sure it has a card slot for external and additional memory. This allows you to change full memory cards conveniently while shooting your pictures.
WHAT ABOUT THE LOOK AND FEEL OF YOUR CAMERA?
Buy a camera that you are comfortable holding while taking pictures. So before you actually purchase your digital camera, make certain that you actually pick up and test each camera. Consider where the buttons are located and how they are spaced out and see also if you feel comfortable using the view finder. See how heavy it feels around your neck as well.
WHAT ABOUT THE BATTERY LIFE OF YOUR CAMERA?
Digital cameras use up battery life rather quickly and batteries are not exactly cheap. Make sure you purchase a camera that uses rechargeable batteries, this way you can get multiple usage out of your batteries. Take also into consideration an AC adapter when you buy a digital camera. You can attach this to the camera when you are viewing your pictures or uploading them.
WHAT ABOUT THE LCD SCREEN?
The LCD is a small screen usually located on the back of the camera. You can use the LCD screen instead of looking through the traditional tiny viewer. The LCD screen also enables you to preview pictures that you have already taken. There is a drawback to using an LCD screen however, as it does use up a lot of battery power.
DO YOU NEED ANY SPECIAL FEATURES?
You should consider whether or not you will need any special features on your camera. This all depends on what type of pictures you plan on taking. If you want your camera to have good zooming capabilities, you can opt for those with optical zoom lenses. Other features such as remote control, tripods, etc. can also be considered when you buy a digital camera. Be careful though. The more features you have on a digital camera, the more difficult it will be to figure out and use.
With this information I do hope you will be able to figure out what you need before you buy your digital camera. I feel the most important thing is to be patient. Take your time shopping and researching. Learn everything there is to know about the features of digital cameras and what you really need.
Once you narrow down your choices to a few different models, look for the best possible price. There are many different camera sellers online and off. But don’t buy a digital camera from just anyone. Make sure the seller has a good customer service history as well as good prices. Best of luck in figuring out what digital camera to buy!
Related posts
Tags: additional memory, batteries, Battery, battery life, becoming a professional photographer, capabilities, casual photographer, descent camera, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, digital photograph, digital photographer, fancy gadgets, first time buyers, gadget, images, lcd screen, lense, lenses, megapix, megapixel, megapixels, memory, memory card, memory cards, optical zoom, photo, photo editing, photograph, photographer, picture, pictures, pixel, professional photographer, quality image, quality images, quality shots, rechargeable batteries, resolution, resolutions, tripods, zoom
18 Sep 08 Digital Camera: a Buyers’ Guide
Author: Russ Snapper
A digital camera takes still photographs or videos or both by recording the images on a light-sensitive sensor digitally. Most compact digital still cameras can record moving video and sound as well, apart from still photographs. The sales and popularity of digital cameras have increased now compared to the 35mm film cameras.
Digital cameras have a feature for viewing the image that is recorded immediately on the Camera display screen, the feature that is not available in film cameras. Other features include such as the facility to capture a lot of images on a small memory chip, record video along with sound, edit the images, delete the images not required etc. Digital cameras are now available along with many devices ranging from mobile phones and PDAs to vehicles.
The camera perhaps has been affected more by the digital technology than any other products. The digital cameras are not a new phenomenon. The first digital camera was released by Kodak in the U.S. market around 15 years ago. The DCS-100 model at that time with 1.3-mega pixels was available for about $13,000. The digital cameras have emerged with more features and are available at comparatively lesser prices, even to the extent of $80 at select stores.
The biggest benefit of Digital camera technology is the storage capability. You can view the photos on the camera itself, on a web page, a computer monitor, or on paper after printing. The digital camera can be connected to the printer directly through the USB port for printing pictures. People can afford to buy a digital camera today as the prices have fallen with the availability of more features.
It is important for you to know the issues of image resolution for comparing digital camera models. The unit of graphical representation used for displaying digital data by Digital cameras is called Mega Pixel (MP). More the mega pixels, the higher the resolution of the final image. Still you need to compare digital camera images recorded with your actual requirements.
Some typical resolutions found on Digital cameras are:
256×256 – This is available with very cheap cameras. Picture quality is unacceptable.
640×480 – Suitable for posting pictures over a web site or for sending pictures by email.
1216×912 – This resolution is good for printing pictures.
1600×1200 – This is a High resolution standard with around 2 million total pixels.
2240×1680 – This is available on most 4 mega pixel cameras.
4064×2704 – This is available on high-end digital camera with 11.1 mega pixels.
Some High-end consumer cameras can record pictures of over 12 million pixels. Most professional cameras have 16 million pixels. Large format cameras have 20 million pixels. For comparison sake, it is stated that the quality of 35mm film is approximately around 20 million pixels. Some types of Digital cameras are Point and Shoot, Semi-Professional, Bridge and SLR.
You need to know the complete package offered when you compare the prices of digital cameras. You can look for the availability of image-editing software, carry case, add-on Memory card and USB cable for working on your computer, when you want to compare the prices and the features offered. Other general features that you can look into are the availability of an LCD screen, a timer, a built-in flash, a date & time stamp, optical zoom feature and optical zoom lenses of good quality.
Related posts
Tags: 35mm, 35mm film cameras, camera model, camera models, camera technology, cheap camera, compact digital, comparing digital camera, consumer cameras, digital cam, Digital Camera, digital camera images, digital camera technology, Digital cameras, digital still camera, digital still cameras, digital technology, dSLR, film, film camera, film cameras, flash, graphical representation, image resolution, images, kodak, large format cameras, lcd screen, lense, lenses, mega pixel, mega pixels, memory, memory card, memory chip, optical zoom, photo, photograph, photographs, photos, picture, pictures, pixel, professional camera, professional cameras, resolution, resolutions, Russ Snapper, sensitive sensor, still camera, storage, storage capability, zoom
