Digital Cameras
Digital cameras are very popular devices these days, and with good reason, as they offer many advantages when compared to old, film-using cameras. Digital cameras allow you to transfer pictures directly on a computer for e-mailing, printing or editing. You can also delete shots you did not like and save money by not having to buy and develop film. However, the wide range of digital cameras available on the market may make the act of purchasing one not only confusing, but also challenging. This guide will attempt to help you choose a camera that suits your needs.
Resolution
The first thing most people look at when they see a digital camera is its resolution. A camera’s resolution is measure in Megapixels, going from 1.0 to 11.0. Putting it simply, resolution determines picture quality. The higher the resolution of a camera, the better the pictures will look like.
Resolution is surely an important factor to consider when buying a camera, but users should be aware of how much resolution is actually necessary for the tasks they want to accomplish. While it may be cool to show off a 7.0 megapixels camera, that much resolution is overkill for most people.
If you are planning to use your camera only to upload pictures to a computer, you don’t really need anything higher than 3.0 megapixels. However, if you plan to actually print the pictures you took with your camera, resolution becomes a crucial issue. In such case you should consider getting at least a 5.0 megapixels camera, and if you plan to print large-sized pictures, 7.0 or higher.
Zoom
A camera’s zoom is the capacity to switch between close up and a faraway objects. Zoom is usually advertised by a number followed by the “X” letter (i.e. 4x, 5x, etc). Without getting into much detail on how this measurement works, the higher the number, the greater the distance a camera can zoom in.
It is important to know the difference between a camera’s optical zoom and its digital zoom. Optical zoom measures the ability of the camera's lens and other parts to capture more light, and more detail from a particular faraway point. That means that you get better-quality pictures taken from a distance, while digital zoom works by capturing only the central portion of the entire image received by the sensor. Digital zoom is really only a cropping tool, since it cuts off the parts of the image that would be out of the field of view if a longer focal length lens had been used, degrading quality in the process.
Therefore, optical zoom is the more important of the two, and the feature you should really be watching for when buying a camera. Digital zoom is mostly an advertising tool.
Size
Another important factor to consider when buying your camera is its size. A professional camera full of gadgets and features may look great at first, but if you plan to use your camera mostly for taking pictures when traveling, a big camera may become tiresome to carry.
Generally speaking, digital cameras come in three categories of dimensions:
Compact cameras are light and small, easily fitting in a trouser’s or shirt’s pocket or even in the palm of your hand. Having a compact camera can be very convenient if you plan to take it everywhere. On the other hand, buttons are also small, which can be annoying, and zoom usually isn’t as great as in bigger cameras. There are exceptions, but a small, high-quality camera will also cost quite a lot.
Standard cameras are the most common kind of digital cameras. They are not too bulky, usually have retractable zoom lenses that offer good zooming capability, and most importantly, in most cases are very affordable.
Professional cameras feature a lot of features and the ability to manually configure a lot of options, usually relevant only to serious photographers. They usually come with fixed or interchangeable zoom lenses, resulting in greater zoom magnification, but making them rather bulky. They also cost much more than the standard camera.
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Extra Features
Digital cameras these days can do much more than simply taking pictures. Here are some additional capabilities you should look for when buying a camera:
Video clip recording: Most cameras offer this option, but the quality and max duration of video recording varies, and not all are capable of capturing sound.
Voice recording: Some cameras allow you to attach voice notes to each picture. This is handy for keeping track of a large picture album.
In-camera editing: This is another common feature, allowing users to cut and copy pictures directly in the camera’s memory, without having to upload them to a computer first.
Music Playback: Some cares work as mp3 players, allowing you to listen to music and other audio files through earphones.
Videoconferencing: A few cameras can function as webcams as well.
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Digital Cameras Deciding Factors
| Term | Explanation | Priority | Quantity | Range Home | Range Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Determines picture quality | 1 | Megapixels | 1 - 5 | 5 - 11 |
| Zoom | Allows you to take pictures of objects that are far away | 2 | Xs | 3 - 5 | 5 - 12 |
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