| oose a camera ask yourself what you need to get | | | | some cameras don't have a sound recorder . But it's |
| out of it and what you will use it for. Then compare | | | | still handy to capture good moments on video. |
| prices for digital cameras. When choosing a digital | | | | The types of cameras |
| camera you have to think about the resolution of the | | | | As explained before, each user has their own |
| pictures, size and memory. It can all be very | | | | requirements when choosing a camera: Ultra compact |
| confusing but I've tried to explain everything on this | | | | for those who want very small cameras; the |
| web site. As with everything you must take into | | | | compact to combine the enjoyment of taking |
| consideration what you'll need your camera for. | | | | pictures with a wider choice; Compact Digital SLRs |
| Whatever you might need your camera for you'll find | | | | for informed amateurs or for professionals who do |
| the best buy for it on this web site. | | | | not want all the various lenses and finally the Digital |
| Points to remember before buying a Digital Camera: | | | | SLRs for those who are passionate about |
| Sensor resolution | | | | photography. There is a camera to suit everyone's |
| It's on the sensor, which is composed of elements | | | | needs. |
| sensitive to sunlight, that the image is created. Each | | | | Batteries (alkaline) versus rechargeable batteries |
| of these elements registers one of the points (called | | | | The makers of entry type cameras - probably in an |
| pixels) that create the picture. The more there are, | | | | effort to sell them at a competitively low prices - |
| the more you can blow up the picture and the higher | | | | designed them to be battery operated (AA type). |
| the quality of the picture will be. This is what is also | | | | The advantage of this is that they are very |
| known as the resolution. 2 million pixels (2 megapixels) | | | | common, you can buy them anywhere and if you are |
| is now a minimum requirement. | | | | going away it's easy to keep a stock so you don't |
| To obtain optimal quality photo development, a | | | | run out. Having said that, when used for Digital |
| definition of 300 pixels per linear inch or 12 pixels per | | | | Cameras, their lifespan can be quite short, so |
| mm is sufficient. Often - and true for photo | | | | rechargeable batteries are a lot more reliable. |
| development in labs and on inkjet - you only need 8 | | | | Although they can be pricey to start with, it's worth |
| pixels per millimetre. A 2 megapixel picture (1200 x | | | | it in the end as replacing traditional batteries ends up |
| 1600 pixels) will suit a print in 11x15 format or even in | | | | being quite expensive. |
| 13 x17. | | | | The ease of use |
| The weight and size | | | | You have to get used to a new gadget - finding out |
| At one extreme there are compact cameras | | | | what all the buttons are for and getting used to the |
| weighing 115 grams, the size of a credit card and at | | | | menus all requires a bit of practice. Testing the |
| the other the Digital SLRs that together with their | | | | camera and it's functionalities out before buying it can |
| lenses, weigh more than a kilo. It all depends on what | | | | be useful to check if you like it's look and feel. |
| you intend to use it for. The smaller ones are great | | | | Used accessories in Digital Camera: |
| to impress everyone but the more bulky ones are | | | | Memory card |
| more stable when taking the picture. | | | | When you take a picture with a digital camera they |
| The screen size: diagonals measured in inches | | | | are stored on a memory card, a type of "hard disk". |
| Here are the standard sizes of the screens of the | | | | Most makers only provide you with a low storage |
| miniature monitors. The bigger the screen, the more | | | | media card. Since it won't take you long to fill it, you |
| easily you'll be able to centre the picture you are | | | | will probably want to buy an additional memory card |
| going to take or view the pictures or the short films | | | | (128Mb, 256Mb...) to increase your storage capacity. |
| you have taken. Please note that it is difficult to use | | | | A computer |
| when exposed to direct sunlight as it becomes too | | | | Can be very useful and will allow you to centre, |
| dark. | | | | airbrush, resize and stock your photos, but it's not |
| Optical sensors | | | | essential even if you decide to print your pictures |
| There are two types of optical sensors: The Charge | | | | yourself. |
| Coupled Device CCD (the most common one) and | | | | A photo printer |
| the Complimentary Metal Oxide Semi-conductor | | | | Most of the big makes (Canon, Epson. HP, Kodak...) |
| CMOS, the most recent energy saving ones. | | | | offer printers which you can connect directly to your |
| The lens | | | | digital camera. You just need to check that it's |
| Zoom lenses usually vary between 35-105 mm. The | | | | compatible with the printer. The Pictbridge standard, |
| smallest measurement is the maximum potential of | | | | used by a lot of the makers, is making connections |
| the camera using the wide lens. The other | | | | easier. |
| corresponds to the telephoto lens. A lot of digital | | | | The Batteries |
| cameras are not well developed for wide angle | | | | To avoid a power failure, you can purchase a |
| lenses. For certain pictures, 28 mm is a big advantage. | | | | secondary battery, unless your camera takes AA |
| There are two types of zooms on digital cameras. | | | | batteries, then in that case you will find those in a |
| An optical zoom, the most important one, which | | | | number of shops. |
| determines the quality of the image and the digital | | | | Print development |
| zoom that often goes up to x10. The main | | | | No more films! Simply take your camera or just your |
| disadvantage of the former zoom is that it loses | | | | memory card to any photo lab. You will have to pay |
| quality when it's used, so that when you try and | | | | for the photo development and often your pictures |
| enlarge the image the resulting image is of lower | | | | will be digitally burnt onto a CD. It will probably cost |
| quality. It is to be used sparingly. | | | | you the same as "regular" photos as they use the |
| Video Capture | | | | same system as when developing from a film. On the |
| Most digital cameras now have a video capture | | | | internet it's also possible to have your pictures |
| facility (although SRLs don't), meaning you can create | | | | printed, you send your folder by email and it will be |
| short film sequences. The quality isn't always very | | | | sent back together with the photos and CD by post. |
| good (mainly dependent on the megapixel sensors) | | | | |