Digital Camera 101
So you're ready to buy a digital camera, but you have no idea where to start. Between megapixels and megabytes, optical zoom and digital zoom, and a seemingly endless array of optional bells and whistles, choosing a camera that's right for you can be an exhausting experience. Whatever you do, don't retreat into the world of film canisters and one-hour photo shops. Digital photography keeps getting better so I am going to try to de-mystify the technology and offer some digital camera buying tips ( for the average user ) to help you make a decision on which camera is right for you.
Those Confusing Specs
A camera's megapixel rating is another way of expressing its resolution. The higher the megapixel number, the higher the resolution. In general, higher-resolution cameras let you produce larger, higher-quality prints. A 2-megapixel camera can produce images for high-quality 5 X 7 prints. A 3-megapixel camera can produce images for 8 X 10 prints. If you are not going to print anything larger than a 8 X 10 print then a 3 or 4 megapixel camera is sufficient for you. With a 4 megapixel camera you will have the extra pixels to enable you to crop or resize the image and retain good image quality.
Optical and digital zoom is another one of those confusing specs. Of the two, "Optical Zoom" is the most important. Optical zoom is essential for composing good photos and making the most of your pixels because it uses the optics of the lenses to bring the image closer without losing image quality. Digital zoom enlarges the image by enlarging the pixels which after a certain amount of enlargement the image will start to become blurry. Actually, you can digitally zoom the image with the image editing software in your computer. It is best to buy a camera with at least a 3X optical zoom ( equivalent to 38-114mm zoom lens on a 35mm camera ).
None of the cameras on the market come with enough internal memory, so plan on buying a memory card that is compatible with the camera that you choose. You will want 64mb (at least) or 128mb (better) or even 256mb (better still for high-resolution cameras) of memory. The various card formats vary widely in price per megabyte. I think 128mb is the best buy for the average user. If you have the camera set at email resolution (640 x 480) you can take at least 90 pictures with 128mb. If you are not sure what kind of memory card you need there is a nifty web site that will find the right memory device for most digital devices. The web address is: http://www.vikinginterworks.com/configurator.
Not all camera's come with re-chargeable batteries. If not, get two sets of nickel metal hydride/NiMH rechargeables or a lithium ion battery pack (or two). (Don't get NiCad batteries!) Regular alkaline batteries are useless in digital cameras except in dire emergencies. For more information on camera battery types and how to use them go to: http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/hqguides/batteries.html.
There are many more specifications that can be addressed here but are to numerous for this forum. You can research these specs with the resource links below or go to any of the sites that sell digital cameras, they usually provide tutorials on the cameras that they sell.
Digital Camera Shopping Tips
Below is a list of generalized shopping tips that I hope will help you purchase the digital camera of your choice.
- Match megapixels to your intended use. A 2-megapixel camera is fine for snapshots, though models with that resolution are becoming less common. If you want to produce 8-by-10-inch prints, you'll need at least a 3- megapixel camera. Four or 5-megapixel cameras will yield even larger prints and allow you to blow up a part of an image with less likelihood that the print will be blurry.
- Size and weight do matter, and how you intend to use your camera will dictate whether you'd be better off with a tiny five-ounce point and shoot or a bulky one-and-a-half pound SLR camera. Think about how the camera is going to fit into your life and how you plan to carry it (some cameras will fit into your pocket, while others need a fully-loaded camera bag), and you'll soon see the list of options narrow substantially.
- Optical Zoom is essential for composing good photos and making the most of your pixels (by zooming in on what you want). Try to get at least 3x optical zoom. Digital zoom isn't useful, it discards part of the picture to zoom in on one part. You can do that on the computer, or on the camera itself, later on.
- Look for rechargeable batteries and a charger. The cost of disposable batteries adds up over the long run. Some cameras can use AA batteries of any type--disposable or rechargeable. I would not consider a camera that did not come with rechargeable batteries.
- Make sure you can use removable storage media. While the camera may have on-board memory, a memory card allows you to expand the storage capacity. Consider at least a 128mb memory card.
- Insist on a camera with an LCD display and a view finder. It allows you to review your photos on the spot--and delete the ones that have not turned out well. The view finder will help when the sun is to bright to use the LCD display.
- Avoid cameras that use floppy disks or compact discs. Floppy disks are inexpensive, but they won't hold many images, and the cameras that use them typically take relatively low-resolution photos. Cameras that use compact discs are typically bulky and slow.
- Don't buy a camera that doesn't offer image editing software. Look for useful packages like Adobe Photoshop Elements and Ulead PhotoImpact.
- Don't base your decision on video capability. Any still camera's ability to take moving pictures is extremely limited. If you want to shoot video, invest in a video camera.
- Consider purchasing the following accessories:
- A tripod. Close-ups or zooming with a digital camera require a steady hand. You can buy a decent tripod for around $30, an investment you won't be sorry you made.
- A case to protect your investment. I have seen them for as little as $15
- Extra rechargeable batteries. If you are at a: party, family event, or traveling there always comes that time when this investment becomes worthwhile.
- Extra memory card. Consider buying at least a 64mb card as a backup for that time when you run out of memory.
Price Range: Current technology makes it possible for manufacturers to offer high-resolution, full-featured digital cameras at a price many consumers can afford. Today's digital cameras run anywhere from $200 to $1,000, depending on resolution and features. While the initial expense of a digital camera is still higher than a traditional point-and-shoot, you may find that the added convenience and savings in film and processing costs are worth it.
Resources:
PC World
Digital HQ
Digital Camera Review
For more great camera information Go ToDigital Camera 102.
I hope these tips will make your time in digital photography more enjoyable and efficient. If you have any suggestions or computer topics that you would like to have discussed just drop me an Email with your question or suggestion.