| Buying
guide
Digital Cameras
Thanks to the digital camera, there are more and more budding photographers.
The advantages are obvious; no films, no picture development and
the possibility to see and show pictures as soon as they have been
taken. From the cheapest model to the ones used by professionals,
the choices and features are infinite depending on what you want
out of them. So how do you choose a model?
What Camera for what user?
To choose a camera ask yourself what you need to get out of it and
what you will use it for. Then compare prices for digital cameras.
What type of photographer are you? If you have the answer to this
question, the choice won't be difficult. As a matter of fact with
a bit of simple advice and by asking yourself the right questions,
you will have no trouble deciding on the type of camera that will
suit your needs. Start by asking yourself what type of photographer
you are.
Beginner
If you do not know much about photography and you do not want to
spend too much money on a camera, opt for a basic camera. These
are ideal for your holiday or family photos. They are easy to use
and these types of cameras should have an integrated flash and allow
you to video capture. A few of them even have a zoom and can be
plugged into your TV set. A compact camera will appeal to even the
most demanding of beginners.
Basic cameras: For cheap photos!
This is a practical and economical solution for someone who wants
to take up photography or have a camera around for family gatherings
or holidays. They are limited in their technical capabilities but
will offer all basic functionalities of a digital camera (LCD screen,
video capture...).
Intermediate
If you are looking for a camera you can carry with you and use
wherever you are, then it's a compact you need. Like the entry level
cameras, their automatic mode enables you to take pictures in all
circumstances. Some cameras are as small as a credit card - only
20mm thick. Others can fit in your pocket but are not quite so tiny.
The Compact SLR cameras are an option if you want progress a bit
further.
Compacts
The compact category offers the widest choice. Most of them have
a resolution of 4 or 5 megapixels. The have advanced functionalities,
an automatic focus and can adapt the view finder and lighting themselves.
Preset modes allow the user to take pictures without having to worry
about the conditions like night, sport, outdoor, beach or snow snapshot
options. It combines ease-of-use with a superior quality camera.
Compact Digital SLRs
Compact Digital SLRs are designed for those who don't want a more
bulky SLR that comes with multiple lenses, auto focus, high quality
optical zoom, Anti shake, etc... The high quality of functionalities
enables the users to enjoy digital photography with ease without
spending a fortune.
Advanced
If you enjoy photography as a technical activity or if you want
to be able to control all the parameters when taking pictures, you
will probably look at SLRs or Digital SLRs. SLRs offer the same
advantages as their compact digital versions - a vast choice of
interchangeable optical functions, excellent focus options and manual
set ups etc... Compact SLRs are less cumbersome and are equipped
with high quality optical zooms but you cannot find or replace the
electronic visor that you would have with an SRL.
Digital SLRs
They combine the advantages of both SLRs and digital cameras. Most
digital SLRs are compatible with a wide range of lenses, flash and
other accessories designed for regular SLRs. All their tools are
created for informed amateurs or for professionals who want more
control over the functions on their cameras. The emphasis has been
put on functions and performance. The shutter speed reaches from
1/4000 per second on all cameras. The sensitivity goes up to 1600
ISO and sometimes even 3200. The wide range of interchangeable lenses
makes them highly professional digital cameras. The higher costs
of these types of camera makes them ideal for real photography lovers.
When choosing a digital camera:
Points to remember
Sensor resolution
It's on the sensor, which is composed of elements sensitive to sunlight,
that the image is created. Each of these elements registers one
of the points (called pixels) that create the picture. The more
there are, the more you can blow up the picture and the higher the
quality of the picture will be. This is what is also known as the
resolution. 2 million pixels (2 megapixels) is now a minimum requirement.
To obtain optimal quality photo development, a definition of 300
pixels per linear inch or 12 pixels per mm is sufficient. Often
- and true for photo development in labs and on inkjet - you only
need 8 pixels per millimetre. A 2 megapixel picture (1200 x 1600
pixels) will suit a print in 11x15 format or even in 13 x17.
Because we rarely need bigger print formats, you could wonder about
the need for 4, 5, 6 or 8 megapixel sensors.
Optical sensors
There are two types of optical sensors: The Charge Coupled Device
CCD (the most common one) and the Complimentary Metal Oxide Semi-conductor
CMOS, the most recent energy saving ones
The lens
Zoom lenses usually vary between 35-105 mm. The smallest measurement
is the maximum potential of the camera using the wide lens. The
other corresponds to the telephoto lens. A lot of digital cameras
are not well developed for wide angle lenses. For certain pictures,
28 mm is a big advantage. There are two types of zooms on digital
cameras. An optical zoom, the most important one, which determines
the quality of the image and the digital zoom that often goes up
to x10. The main disadvantage of the former zoom is that it loses
quality when it's used, so that when you try and enlarge the image
the resulting image is of lower quality. It is to be used sparingly.
The types of cameras
As explained before, each user has their own requirements when choosing
a camera: Ultra compact for those who want very small cameras; the
compact to combine the enjoyment of taking pictures with a wider
choice; Compact Digital SLRs for informed amateurs or for professionals
who do not want all the various lenses and finally the Digital SLRs
for those who are passionate about photography. There is a camera
to suit everyone's needs.
The weight and size
At one extreme there are compact cameras weighing 115 grams, the
size of a credit card and at the other the Digital SLRs that together
with their lenses, weigh more than a kilo. It all depends on what
you intend to use it for. The smaller ones are great to impress
everyone but the more bulky ones are more stable when taking the
picture.
The screen size: diagonals
measured in inches
As well as the visor on a normal SLR, the Digital cameras have a
liquid crystal display (LCD) that allows you to pre-view and centre
the picture you are about to take. From one digital camera to another,
the size of the colour screen varies and the comparisons aren't
easy. The screen size is stated in inches.
Here are the standard sizes of the screens of the miniature monitors.
The bigger the screen, the more easily you'll be able to centre
the picture you are going to take or view the pictures or the short
films you have taken. Please note that it is difficult to use when
exposed to direct sunlight as it becomes too dark.
Dimensions of the monitors
Diagonal (in inches) 1,5" 1,8" 2,2" 2,5"
Width and height in mm 30 x 23 37 x 28 40 x 30 51 x 38
Video Capture
Most digital cameras now have a video capture facility (although
SRLs don't), meaning you can create short film sequences. The quality
isn't always very good (mainly dependent on the megapixel sensors)
some cameras don't have a sound recorder . But it's still handy
to capture good moments on video.
The ease of use
You have to get used to a new gadget - finding out what all the
buttons are for and getting used to the menus all requires a bit
of practice. Testing the camera and it's functionalities out before
buying it can be useful to check if you like it's look and feel.
Batteries (alkaline)
versus rechargeable batteries
The makers of entry type cameras - probably in an effort to sell
them at a competitively low prices - designed them to be battery
operated (AA type). The advantage of this is that they are very
common, you can buy them anywhere and if you are going away it's
easy to keep a stock so you don't run out. Having said that, when
used for Digital Cameras, their lifespan can be quite short, so
rechargeable batteries are a lot more reliable. Although they can
be pricey to start with, it's worth it in the end as replacing traditional
batteries ends up being quite expensive.
All the accessories for your digital camera
Memory card
When you take a picture with a digital camera they are stored on
a memory card, a type of "hard disk". Most makers only
provide you with a low storage media card. Since it won't take you
long to fill it, you will probably want to buy an additional memory
card (128Mb, 256Mb...) to increase your storage capacity. There
are several types (Smart Media, Compact Flash...), check which one
corresponds to your camera.
Once you have uploaded your photos to your computer or copied them
onto a CD you can delete them and re-use the card.
Print development
No more films! Simply take your camera or just your memory card
to any photo lab. You will have to pay for the photo development
and often your pictures will be digitally burnt onto a CD. It will
probably cost you the same as "regular" photos as they
use the same system as when developing from a film. On the internet
it's also possible to have your pictures printed, you send your
folder by email and it will be sent back together with the photos
and CD by post.
A computer
Can be very useful and will allow you to centre, airbrush, resize
and stock your photos, but it's not essential even if you decide
to print your pictures yourself.
A photo printer
Most of the big makes (Canon, Epson. HP, Kodak...) offer printers
which you can connect directly to your digital camera. You just
need to check that it's compatible with the printer. The Pictbridge
standard, used by a lot of the makers, is making connections easier.
Using ink, superior quality paper and photo printers allow you
have prints that will resemble regular photo development and will
cost you about the same and you can have your pictures as soon as
you want.
The Batteries
To avoid a power failure, you can purchase a secondary battery,
unless your camera takes AA batteries, then in that case you will
find those in a number of shops.
Other ways to take pictures...without a digital camera
Webcams
Although the quality isn't always fantastic and that you need to
stay connected to your computer (some allow you to "move around"),
webcams can take a few pictures.
Mobile phones
Called picture phones, these can be used for pictures to view on
your PC or to print as icons. Discreet and always in your pocket,
it allows you to send pictures directly from your mobile phone to
an email account. Three minutes after the birth of your first child,
at 5000 or 10000 miles away, the grand parents can admire him. For
a better quality, you will have to wait for the number of megapixels
to increase.
Pix4
The solutions can all be found at Pix4. Please ask our staff for
further information if required or contact us here
Digital photography is fun and forever
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