Buying a Digital Camera
by Trevor Janke
Buying a new digital camera can be a confusing task. With all the talk about megapixels, flash memory, LCD screens, and image stabilization can be a little daunting, but some hints and tips will put you back on track.
Digital Cameras
Digital cameras differ from regular film
cameras in a few ways that you should be aware of. They require a
lot more power. Today most digital cameras come with a rechargeable
battery or they may still use disposable. Disposable batteries
usually aren't your best choice because they will cost you extra
money in the long run and rechargeable batteries tend to last
longer in the digital cameras.
The second way in which digital cameras
differ is the way they capture the picture. While regular cameras
use film, digital cameras use millions of light sensitive elements.
This is measured in megapixels. This explains why megapixels are so
important. The more megapixels the more detailed the picture can
be. The light sensitive elements come in two types. They are CCD
(Charged-Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary
Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor).
Third, Digital cameras store pictures
differently then a film camera. Film cameras save on film while
digital cameras save on flash card. This makes having a computer a
big plus when you have a digital camera. That isn't your only
option though. Some stores provide a developing service if you wish
to get your pictures that way. However, this will limit your
ability to take pictures because you will only have the space on
your flash card instead of the added space of your computer's hard
drive.
Hints & Tips
The biggest factor in the price and
performance of your camera is the lens. There
are 4 basic categories of lenses. The first and
most inexpensive is the fixed-focal-length lens. They are
cheap, compact, and usually have a wide angle of view, but they
don't zoom very well and they don't take the best quality pictures.
(A term to remember when talking about lenses is optical zoom.
Optical zoom is when the camera lenses are moved closer or farther
apart to change the focal length of the lens. This allows you to
zoom without changing the quality of the shot. Most lower end
cameras will have zooms that only blow up what image it is getting
which causes the image to become pixilated.) The next step up would
be the retractable zoom lens. These lenses pop out of the camera
when you turn them on and allow for some optical zoom that the
fixed lenses don't. They keep a very compact figure, but they don't
allow for much configuring of the lens. The Third step is the
fixed zoom lens. These lenses stick out of the camera and don't
retract after being turned off. This is probably the most versatile
type of lenses and the best choice for a beginning photographer who
wants to take decent pictures of all types. They have good optical
zoom, filters and converters can usually be attached, and they
offer good control in the way of zooming and focusing. The final
type is the interchangeable lens. These lenses are for high end
cameras that are for professionals or for those who want to take
professional pictures. They have the best picture quality with the
best zoom, and you don't have to buy a whole new camera to upgrade
your lens.
This second question your going to need to
ask yourself is how many megapixels do you need. This will be the
single biggest factor in the performance and price of your camera.
If you are looking for a basic camera for just candid shots at
close range, all you really need is about 3 megapixels. Don't be
afraid to go a little higher though. The extra megapixels will give
you some breathing room if you want to take better pictures later.
If you are looking for a serious camera for professional shots you
will need at least 5 megapixels. Just remember, with prices
falling and megapixels rising, it wouldn't hurt to go a little
higher. Some cameras today come with 10 megapixels for a relatively
cheap price.
The last question is what are you taking
pictures of. If your looking for a camera to take pictures people
close up that you like to put on your computer, you probably only
need a small camera with a fixed-focal-length lens or a retractable
zoom lens and about 3 megapixels. If you want pictures of all sorts
of things from people to action shots or pictures of your vacation,
you will probably need a medium sized camera with a fixed zoom lens
and at least 5 megapixels. You will also want to make sure your
camera can attach a quality flash for action shots in low light or
for indoors. If you want a professional camera for professional
pictures, you will want a camera with interchangeable lenses and at
least 7 megapixels. These cameras should also be able to equip a
quality flash.
Just remember when buying a camera, don't be afraid to get more megapixels then you need, get a camera that is the right size for you, and consider what kind of lens you need. Also, any of these suggestions can be modified to reflect your budget or your special preferences.
