Digital Cameras are an essential component for every home today. Here I am explaining the most important 10 things you should know before buying a Digital Camera. Before you set foot into your local electronics store, you should establish a clear budget for your purchase. There are around thousand models between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 available for you to choose from, and the best way to narrow your search is to have a good idea of how much you want to spend. You should view your camera purchase as an investment: the more money you spend, the more features and better quality you are going to get. Moving even Rs. 5000 or Rs. 10,000 in your price range makes a big difference.
1. Type of Camera
Forget about Film type cameras. Digital cameras are Compact, Standard and SLR (Single Lens Reflex-A camera in which you view the scene through the same lens that takes the picture.).
Usually Consumer cameras are Compact, Prosumer cameras are standard (SLR-Like) and Professional digital cameras are SLR type.
It depends on what you will use the camera for. If you want to take pictures of your kid?s first steps and first trip to the zoo, be sure to get a camera with a manageable size ? so you will use it. If you buy an SLR to get stunningly sharp photos of your kid, remember that you?ll have to carry it ? and its flash accessories, lenses, memory cards, and tripod ? along with the diaper bag, lunch, stroller, and toys when you go out.
Compact:
Standard/SLR-Like:
SLR:
For Personal use, buy Compact or Standard(SLR-Like) Digital cameras
For Professional/Studio use, buy Digital SLR cameras
2. Pixel size, Resolution and Print Size
Pixel is the Short for Picture Element. A pixel is a single point in a graphic image which contains the information about color.
Resolution is the total no of pixels per inch, may be a screen resolution or print resolution. The resolution of a MAC Screen is 72 DPI and Windows is 96 DPI. The printer resolution varies from 150 DPI to 600 DPI.
Resolution affects the print size of the image. But it has nothing to do with Digital cameras, because all cameras take pictures in 72 DPI. So to get a good quality print you need to print the image at least in 150 DPI. (200 DPI is good and 300 DPI is professional)
Pixel Size is the total no of pixels in the Photo. Digital Cameras are normally available from 1 MegaPixels to 16 MegaPixels. For example, an image that is 2288 pixels wide and 1728 pixels high (2048X1536) contains (multiply) 3,145,728 pixels (3.1 Mega pixels). You could call it a 2048X1536 or a 3.1 Megapixel image (21*28 inch at 72 DPI). So your print size is 8*10 Inch at 200 DPI.
Here's our approximate guide to maximum print size by resolution (based on prints at 150 DPI):
0.3 Megapixel (640 x 480) = 4 x 3" print
1.2 Megapixel (1280 x 960) = 7 x 5" print
2 Megapixel (1600 x 1200) = 10 x 8" print
3.2 Megapixel (2048 x 1536) = 13.5 x 10" print
4 Megapixel (2288 x 1712) = 15 x 11" print
5 Megapixel (2500 x 2000) = 17 x 13" print
The resolution you need depends on what you plan to do with your photos. If you just want to e-mail photos to your friends or put them on the Web, you may be happy with a low resolution such as 640 x 480. If you want to print your photos, however, plan on having at least 150 or more pixels per printed inch. If you try to print lower-resolution images at larger sizes, the results tend to look grainy, blurry or blocky. Most cameras also offer the option of taking lower-resolution photos so that you can fit more photos in the camera's memory.
To be more specific: will you get better 4 x 6 inch prints from a 3 or 4 Megapixel camera versus a 2 Megapixel camera? Possibly, but the average person won't notice. The real advantage of a higher resolution camera is that with the larger image size, there's more room to crop images. In terms of quality though, it's not a huge deal. At print sizes like 8 x 10 inch, you will notice a difference.
3. Real Pixels or Interpolated
Interpolation (sometimes called Resampling) is an imaging method to increase (or decrease) the number of pixels in a digital image. Some digital cameras use interpolation to produce a larger image than the sensor captured or to create digital zoom. So a 3.2 MP digital camera can produce a 6.4 MP photo by hardware interpolation.
Virtually all image editing software(Ex: Photoshop, Qimage, Genuine Fractals etc) support one or more methods of interpolation. How smoothly images are enlarged without introducing jaggies depends on the sophistication of the algorithm.
Now, as for cameras with interpolation. From my point of view, a camera doesn't need interpolation. If the lens only brings in X amount of pixels, then so be it. If I want it bigger, I'll use Photoshop. There are three reasons I'd do it this way:
1) Photoshop probably has a better interpolation routine
2) By not having the camera interpolate to a larger size, the photo doesn't take as much space as it would have, yet you still have the same amount of digital information. Doesn't waste space.
3) Your camera will operate faster because it won't have to spend time interpolating a large image.
So basically, interpolation is not that great and never be fooled by some cameras manufactured by Orite, Yes, Olympus, Kodak and Panasonic. (That means not, all the cameras from this manufactures are interpolated)
4. Optical Zoom or Digital Zoom
It's important to understand this difference, as you could end up mighty disappointed with the results if you get one rather than the other. Optical zoom is the number of times the maximum focal length of a zoom lens is larger than the minimum focal length. Optical zoom is similar to what you'll find in a regular 35mm camera: When you push the button to zoom in or out, physical lens elements move inside the camera, to achieve the desired effect.
Digital zoom, on the other hand, has no moving parts. Using the "electronic brain" within the camera instead, the camera takes a look at what it's "looking at", and digitally zooms in, usually two or three times closer.
The problem with digital zoom is that you lose quality when you do this -- your images will tend to be more "pixelated" than the same image taken with an optical zoom camera. This is due to the "interpolation" the camera uses, which is a nice way of saying that it makes a guess about how the picture should look while zoomed in. Having optical AND digital zoom on a camera isn't bad, but try to avoid cameras with only digital zoom.
For the ultimate in zoom control and quality, look for an extended-zoom camera with image stabilization, which will ensure that shots taken at full telephoto will be tack-sharp, even without a tripod. So it?s better to have a 6X optical zoom camera with Image stabilization than having a 12X optical zoom without image stabilization.
5. USB 2.0 Full Speed or High Speed
Lots of cameras claim to have USB 2.0, but read the specs carefully before you get too excited! There are two types of USB 2.0: Full Speed and High Speed. USB 2.0 Full Speed tops out at 12 Mbit/sec, which is the same speed as the "old" USB 1.1 standard. In other words, this is marketing (bordering on deceptive) and nothing more.
What you really want is USB 2.0 High Speed. This protocol has a transfer rate of 480 Mbit/sec, which is 40 times faster than USB 2.0 Full Speed. And that makes a huge difference when you're transferring 2-4 Megabyte images to your computer!
6. SD card or Memory Stick
Cameras with internal memory store their images in a non-removable memory chip embedded within the camera. However, most consumer cameras use external memory, generally in the form of a reusable memory card that you can remove when it is full. Common types of memory card include CompactFlash, SmartMedia, SD (Secure Digital), MMC, Memory Stick and xD. You can increase the number of photos you can take by buying additional cards.
Normally SLR cameras use CompactFlash and Consumer cameras use SD or MMC Cards. If you are upgrading than this is an easy choice, you would purchase a camera that is comparable with your old system unless a different media offers other features that far outweigh those of your old camera's media type.
Basic digital cameras sometimes come with memory cards, but they are never enough to shoot more than about ten pictures. Since you?ll probably take more than that, plan on buying at least another 512MB of memory.
SD is fast becoming the new standard due to its high quality and compatibility with other digital cameras, MP3 players, PDAs, cellular phones and camcorders. Almost all manufactures support SD card except SONY. The stupid Sony cameras require Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick Pro. So if you not a proud owner of a Sony camera, avoid buying a new Sony brand.
7. AA Battery or Lithium Iron
Digital cameras come in two varieties: those that use AA-size batteries and those that are powered by proprietary lithium-ion batteries. If you are a traveler, particularly someone who enjoys remote or rustic locations, choose a camera with AA batteries.
When a camera that uses proprietary batteries runs out of power, you have no choice but to plug the battery into a power outlet to recharge it. This requires an available outlet, a battery charger, and, if you're in a foreign country, a power converter. If access to an outlet is ever in doubt, or if you don't want the hassle of carrying cords and chargers, then the limitations of this system are obvious.
When a camera that uses AA-size batteries runs out of power on a trip, you can simply throw out the old batteries and drop in a new set of high-performance AAs like the Duracell Ultras. Two or three sets of such batteries can usually take you through a 10-day trip. If you're out of high-performance batteries, you also have the option of using standard alkaline batteries, which are available anywhere in the world. Also consider getting extra rechargeable batteries for prolonged photo-shoots and never buy a system with a sealed battery.
8. Auto Focus, Manual Controls and Sensitivity
Fixed-focus digital cameras have a non-moving lens that is preset to focus at a certain range. Higher-end digital cameras usually have autofocus instead, which automatically focuses the camera at your subject's distance.
When you buy film it comes in different speeds defined by ISO numbers (ie. 100, 400). Digital cameras also come with different ISOs. The higher the speed, the more sensitive the film is to light so 100 speed film is good for outdoor shots, but 400 film is better for indoor shots. Faster film is also needed to capture quick motion shots. Exactly the same considerations go into choosing the ISO of a digital camera. Think about the light conditions and type of subjects you plan to shoot and pick an ISO accordingly. Speeds range from 100-3200, and some cameras have multiple ISO settings, typically 100, 200 and 400.
Digital cameras work just like traditional cameras when it comes to aperture: the maximum aperture rating of a camera lets you know how much light it can let in. Aperture ratings represent ratios; the lower the aperture rating, the more light sensitive the camera is and the better it can take photos in low light.
Most cameras automatically set focus, aperture and shutter speed, but those settings won't always give you the effect you want. Manual focus allows you to choose what will be in the sharpest focus.
Opening or closing the aperture regulates the amount of light that enters the camera. You can compensate for low light by using a larger aperture setting or f-stop. The higher the f-stop, the smaller the aperture, the less light enters. The broader the f-stop range of a camera the more control you have. A typical f-stop range is from f2.8 to f16.
Shutter speed determines how long the image sensors/film is exposed to light. To freeze rapid action you can increase the shutter speed. Decreasing the shutter speed can offset low light conditions or produce motion blurring effects. Speeds can range from one second to 1/10 000 of a second, but an average range is 1/2 to 1/500 of a second.
9. ViewFinders and LCD
Many digital cameras, especially cheap ones, come with optical viewfinders. These pose a visual problem, as the viewfinder is placed above the lens, CCD, and image processor. This means that when you look through the viewfinder, what you see is not always what you get.
Today almost all digital cameras also come with a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The LCD screen is especially useful because you can see what your picture will look like before you take it. It also allows you to look at the photos you've already taken. Some cameras even let you display pictures on the LCD screen in thumbnail format, usually nine or 12 to a screen. Most cameras also let you select pictures to erase; this handy feature gives you the chance to edit out the photos you don't want in order to free up memory.
There's another type of viewfinder that you should know about. They're like mini LCD screens and replace the optical viewfinder. They're called EVFs - Electronic View Finders. The advantage of EVFs, than LCD are
1. It's difficult to hold the camera steady while looking at a little LCD screen.
2. LCDs eat up a lot of battery power
3. LCDs are not comfortable to shoot in sun light
So consider to buy a camera with both LCD and EVFs. Avoid Optical View Finders.
10. Flash, Self Timer, Macro Mode, Movie Mode etc?
Built-in flashes are a common feature of digital cameras and have a range of 10-16 feet. For the average user, autoflash is just fine. But there are other flash modes that can be advantageous in different situations. Two useful flash modes are red-eye and fill.
Red-eye mode helps reduce those glowing red eyes that make family photos look like a night of the living dead convention. Two flashes are emitted; the first constricts the iris so that less light bounces back from the eye when the second flash goes off. Fill mode only uses enough flash to fill in the shadows when shooting on sunny days. Having a manual override is useful for shooting in places like museums or concerts where flashes aren't allowed.
If you need more power than a built-in flash can supply, the camera has to have an external connector for a separate flash. A portable battery-powered flash can be mounted on the body of a camera via a "hot-shoe," a small U-shaped fitting on a camera. Other cameras have special sockets where you can connect an external flash via a small cable or sync cord. This way the flash is separate from the camera but still draws power from the camera. With both methods the flash is synchronized with depressing the shutter button.
A self-timer sets your digital camera for a delayed exposure, usually giving you about 10 seconds before it takes the picture. This feature is useful for getting yourself in the photo and can also be used to take low-light photos, preventing the camera shake caused by pushing the exposure button.
Many digital cameras now include movie mode, a feature that lets you take short film clips with your camera. To keep from instantly filling your memory card and overwhelming the camera's processor, the movie's resolution is usually much lower than the camera's maximum resolution, and the total length is typically limited to 10 to 90 seconds. It won't replace your camcorder, but it's a fun additional feature. Some models will record movies with sound, and some will only limit the length of the recorded clip based on the size of memory card installed.
A few digital cameras have the ability to record a few seconds of audio with each shot, letting you add a personal sound bite to your photos. This feature tends to eat up battery power rather quickly, so if you use it often, be prepared with extra batteries.
To take extreme close-ups like photographing a stamp or coin collection, you'll want a camera with a macro mode. A macro lens can act as a normal lens but also lets you focus on an object as close as 3 cm. Macro mode works best from 01-50 cm.
So What to Look For
1. Sufficient Pixel Size (Not Interpolated)
2. Optical Zoom (at least 3x)
3. Storage Type, preferably SD Card
4. Battery Type, preferably Rechargeable AA
5. Manual Control
6. having both LCD and EVF is an advantage
What to Not Consider
1. Unnecessary Resolution (if interpolated)
2. Digital Zoom (We can zoom in Photoshop)
3. Movie Mode, Buy a camcorder to record movies
4. Internal Memory, almost useless
5. Optical Viewfinder is not what we needed
