Buying a Digital Camera

If you have been thinking about buying a digital camera, now is a great time. There are dozens of cameras to choose from with a wide variety of features. There are two basic categories of digital cameras: point-and-shoot and D-SLRs (digital single-lens reflex). D-SLRs are generally more expensive, higher end cameras aimed at aspiring professionals and professional photographers. I am going to assume that if you are at the D-SLR level, then you probably know a little bit about digital cameras already, so this article is for the point-and-shooters

First, let’s gets some terminology down. You may have heard the term megapixel (a million pixels or 1 MP) thrown around and it is the most common form of comparing cameras. Most point-and-shoot cameras have at least 3MP and up to 10MP. Digital photos are made up of pixels (picture elements) arranged horizontally and vertically. Pixel count, usually expressed as megapixels, is the number of horizontal pixels multiplied by vertical pixels (just like calculating area). For instance, a 3 MP camera has 2,048 (horizontal) pixels x 1,536 (vertical) pixels, or 3,145,728 pixels. While you would think more MP equals better photos, this is not always the case. Although there is a lot more information on the web about this myth, that is not in the scope of this article. In general, most consumers will be pleased with a 4 - 6MP camera

Megapixels aside, there are several other factors you want to consider when buying a digital camera: pocketability, zoom length, video capability, and screen size. Let’s tackle these one at a time.

Pocketability. This could also be called “wow factor.” Several models, such as Kodak’s v705, Canon’s digital elph line, and Sony’s DSC-T10, are all less than 1 inch thick and slip almost unnoticed into your pocket. While smaller is in undeniably cool, be warned that smaller cameras have to squeeze the buttons and features into a smaller space, so if you have big fingers, or have a long list of feature requirements, this might present an extra challenge.

Zoom length. Typical zoom length in digital point-and-shoot cameras is 3x optical zoom (or approximately 110mm). This is usually adequate for most people, so this is not a problem. If you find yourself longing for more though, it is not difficult to find 4x or even 10x zoom on several models, such as the Olympus SP-510 UZ. Manufactures also include digital zoom of 10x to 50x zoom. Digital zoom is worthless and actually degrades your image quality, so this should not only be ignored, but unused.

Video. One of the bonuses of digital point-and-shoots is their ability to take video clips. Some limit the length of the video to 30 seconds, while others allow you to shoot until you fill up your memory card. Be sure to look at a camera’s feature list to see how it stacks up. Few cameras allow you to zoom during video, but if you are that particular about your video, you might consider buying a video camera instead.

Screen size. This is the digital screen on the back of the camera that you have no doubt seen when someone shows you the picture they just took. A 2 inch screen is nice, 2.5 even better, and 3 is about as much as you could want. Some newer models are getting rid of the viewfinder, assuming that people will just use the screen on the back. In my opinion, this is a bad move, as there are often times you are shooting in bright sunlight where the screen is all but useless and a viewfinder becomes indispensable.

There are, of course, many other features that cameras offer, such as shooting RAW files in addition to JPEG, the ability to shoot in a manual mode, and specialized image modes. Some cameras have built-in panorama photo stitching, extra wide angle lenses, slow-sync flashes and water-proof housings. Of course, price is the other factor to consider. You can get a decent camera for $200, but can spend up to $600 easily.

And don’t forget the memory card. Most cameras come with a tiny memory card, so you will most likely have to purchase a new one. This will add about $50 depending on which type your camera requires as well as how much space need. If you tend to take a lot of photos before off-loading them to your computer, buy a 1 or 2 BG memory card.

You need to look over the above features and decide which are important to you. This will dictate which camera you ultimately decide upon. Here are a few of my favorites, though, to get you started: Canon’s SD 800 IS, Kodak’s V705, Sony’s DSC-T10, Pentax Optio S7, and Fuji’s E900.

Posted by Net Wave at October 16, 2006 09:36 AM