Roberto Sedycias asked:


Photography is one of the most popular hobbies of many people around the world. Nearly every individual with a camera creates his own world of pictures, least bothering the types of camera he is using. Most of the digital camera users have little or no idea on the configuration of the gadgets they have. Some people purchase digital cameras without caring to figure out what type of digital camera will ideal serve their purpose.

However, professional photographers know their needs pretty well in this regard. But it is wise for anyone to know the type of digital cameras before investing in one of them. Digital camera has many advanced features that the traditional cameras lack. But if you go through the minute details of each type of digital cameras you will find them differing from each other in their features and functionality.

Compact digital camera:

Generally, a regular sized digital camera is smaller in size. But if you’re opting for a compact digital camera you’ll find them as portable as to keep them in your pocket or small purse. They are also available with LCD monitors with sensor image stabilization, dust reduction, wireless remote controller and image resolution quality. The LCD monitor shows the view of the picture to be taken and hence, helps capturing perfect images.

The image sensor tends to catch dirt and debris. But the dust reduction system removes dirt from it. The image stabilization mode of the digital camera sharpens the image by eliminating camera shake. The portable and lightweight digital camera with multiple features varies in its price depending on its features.

Point and Shoot digital camera:

Digital cameras of this category do not need a lot of creativity on the part of the user and therefore, are good for any user. It is simple to use and have many controls that don`t need much of your involvement while taking the snaps. The powerful camera has compositional technology which can be wonderfully used not only for photography but also for video taping, paining and some of the other visual media.

Though the camera has its limitations like lack of flexibility, you still can capture your memories with great pictures if you are smart to use the compositional technology. It is the ideal digital camera for the beginners. As any other digital camera they’re also small light weight and the picture can be viewed on the screen before taking it.

Digital SLR camera:

A digital SLR camera is a digital camera with single lens reflex system. It has got a small mirror between the lens and camera films. The technology of this high-end camera creates more image control and focusing for the photographer. Also, this type of digital camera is developed with mega pixels. The number of pixels present is responsible for the clarity of picture.

Advanced digital camera:

The advanced digital cameras have got some advantages over the basic digital cameras. This type of digital camera is available with fully automatic, manual or semi-automatic control. The amazing digital camera captures breathtaking images with ease of handling. The extremely simple interface allows the user easily understand its functionality. The advanced LCD screen, megapixels and optical zoom makes the advanced digital camera feasible for professional and personal use.

Before taking your digital camera you can go through some reviews that give clear picture of every type of camera, its feature and functionality. Ask some of the digital camera owners about the pros and cons of the models they own. Try out many models of digital cameras before you settle down for the right digital camera for your purpose. Happy Buying!!!

Neelima Reddy asked:


There are various types of digital cameras made by different manufacturers with different features. Among all, selecting the right digital camera which is suitable for you isn’t a typical task if you follow these techniques.

1. Resolution

2. Optical zoom

3. Digital zoom

4. memory

5. Usability

6. Investigate

These techniques are explained as follows:

Resolution

Each and each digital camera has certain resolution factor. Most advanced cameras will have high resolution where as the normal digital cameras will have low resolution.

Basically the picture resolution will be dependent on pixel rating. The resolution of the camera will vary for different cameras with different pixel count.

The cameras which have high resolution power produce more massive images and the rate of these cameras will also be high. Normal and average photographer need not require these cameras with high resolution.

Most probably these high resolution cameras are preferred by professional or expert photographers. They also don’t use these cameras all the times (except for taking special pictures).

Optical zoom

Optical zoom is necessary to view the object in big size. Almost all digital cameras will have this optical zoom facility. Before buying the camera, you must check the optical zoom present in it and you mustn’t afford it if it has the optical zoom less than 2.

Digital zoom

Digital zoom is used to increase the size of the picture. Most of the digital cameras offer this digital zoom facility. Check out the clarity levels of the picture clearly when you increase the size of it because some of the pictures will loose their clarity if you apply digital zoom to them.

Memory

Before getting the new digital camera know how much memory is present in it. Most of the digital cameras will have less memory to store more number of snaps in it. So, better along with your digital camera get the extra memory card which has enough space to store more snaps in it.

Usability

You’ve to select the camera depending on your usability. If you have high usage of it, go for advanced cameras which provide more techniques and high resolution or else if you have less usage of it superior get the digital cameras which don’t have high resolution and more advanced techniques. So, depending upon the usage you have to select the right camera suitable for you.

Investigate

After getting your new digital camera, investigate it on various aspects by knowing what are the different modes and new techniques present in it. Try to learn all the techniques regarding how to handle it properly without causing any damage to it before using your new digital camera for the first time.

Do you like to know the reason behind this? Some cameras will be damaged easily if you don’t handle them in the right way. So, to avoid this situation try to know how to handle it in the right way.

Other than these things, you should also get all the necessary accessories required for your camera when you get the new digital camera. These accessories will be helpful to you in more number of ways and they also prevent the damage of your digital camera. Visit Digital Picture Zone

Russ Snapper asked:


A digital camera takes still photographs or videos or both by recording the images on a light-sensitive sensor digitally. Most compact digital still cameras can record moving video and sound as well, apart from still photographs. The sales and popularity of digital cameras have increased now compared to the 35mm film cameras.

Digital cameras have a feature for viewing the image that’s recorded immediately on the Camera display screen, the feature that’s not available in film cameras. Other features include such as the facility to capture a lot of images on a small memory chip, record video along with sound, edit the images, delete the images not required etc. Digital cameras are now available along with many devices ranging from mobile phones and PDAs to vehicles.

The camera perhaps has been affected more by the digital technology than any other products. The digital cameras are not a new phenomenon. The first digital camera was released by Kodak in the U.S. market around 15 years ago. The DCS-100 model at that time with 1.3-mega pixels was available for about $13,000. The digital cameras have emerged with more features and are available at comparatively lesser prices, even to the extent of $80 at select stores.

The biggest benefit of Digital camera technology is the storage ability. You can view the photos on the camera itself, on a web page, a personal monitor, or on paper after printing. The digital camera can be connected to the printer directly through the USB port for printing pictures. People can afford to purchase a digital camera today as the prices have fallen with the availability of more features.

It is important for you to know the issues of image resolution for comparing digital camera models. The unit of graphical representation used for displaying digital data by Digital cameras is called Mega Pixel (MP). More the mega pixels, the higher the resolution of the final image. Still you need to compare digital camera images recorded with your actual stipulations.

Some typical resolutions found on Digital cameras are:

256�256 – This is available with very cheap cameras. Picture quality is unacceptable.

640�480 – Suitable for posting photos over a web site or for sending photos by email.

1216�912 – This resolution is good for printing pictures.

1600�1200 – This is a High resolution standard with around 2 million total pixels.

2240�1680 – This is available on most 4 mega pixel cameras.

4064�2704 – This is available on high-end digital camera with 11.1 mega pixels.

Some High-end consumer cameras can record pictures of over 12 million pixels. Most professional cameras have 16 million pixels. Large format cameras have 20 million pixels. For comparison sake, it is said that the quality of 35mm film is approximately around 20 million pixels. Some types of Digital cameras are Point and Shoot, Semi-Professional, Bridge and SLR.

You need to know the complete package offered when you compare the prices of digital cameras. You can look for the availability of image-editing software, carry case, add-on Memory card and USB cable for working on your personal, when you want to compare the prices and the features offered. Other general features that you can look into are the availability of an LCD screen, a timer, a built-in flash, a date & time stamp, optical zoom feature and optical zoom lenses of good quality.

Russ Snapper asked:


Major manufacturers such as HP, Kodak, Samsung and Fuji offer cheap digital cameras too. Cheap digital cameras generally have lesser advanced features such as multiple file resolution settings, optical zoom, optional image file type settings, advanced automatic exposure meters, huge capacity memory cards, replaceable lenses and waterproofing. Most of the cheap Digital cameras are of point and shoot type.

Image quality is related to Megapixel rating directly and the handling of white balance by the camera. If you want to post pictures on a web site, email pictures or store them on hard drives, cheap digital cameras with a 1.3 Megapixel rating are more than satisfactory. If you want to have images of portrait quality, then you have to look for cameras with 3 mega pixels or higher ratings.

Due to the Megapixel rating, many cameras are pricey. The higher the rating of the mega pixels, the bigger the photographs. However, cheap digital cameras will not come with a lot of mega pixels but still may not be necessary at all times. You don’t require a lot of memory if you don’t need very huge photos. Most cheap digital cameras will print eight by ten inches and this is what many people may need.

However, cheap digital cameras can be an excellent gift for young children. If you want to get started in digital photography and if you’re not sure how to take it forward, cheap digital camera is an excellent choice. It can also be a spare or a good second camera for keeping in your boat or automobile for taking advantage of capturing some unexpected photo opportunities. You need not spend a big amount of money for buying a brand new digital camera just for opening up the box and reading the instruction manuals once but not interested to learn all the features of the camera. Still, most people often get discouraged from buying a used digital camera as they feel that they can get great pictures by getting the most high-priced camera available. There are many cheap digital cameras available for sale and you might not require all of the fancy features and thus can save money.

You have to think about the overall picture quality you get from a cheap digital camera. It can take astounding pictures outside and if you try to take some inside the house, the quality can be poor. Though you can repair them with some pic editing software, you’ll not get professional photograph photos. But you can have it for your basic picture taking needs.

You can look for cheap digital cameras available on a number of websites and can read reviews and blogs from some people who have tried with such cameras. This is the ideal way for deciding the type of cheap digital cameras suitable for your needs. Many sites have listings of sales, coupons, bargains and cheap deals.  You can choose a specific deal offered on a cheap digital camera sent to you via palm text message, email, RSS feed or mobile phone amongst others. Such alerts on deals can be customized to enable you to choose for receiving only cheap digital camera offers from a particular brand or vendor in an area. You can also customize such that cheap digital cameras can be classified based on the price as everyone has a different budget.

Felix K asked:


Digital cameras have advanced greatly in the past decade.  Basically, the term digital cameras actually refer to all types digital image recording device.  This includes webcams, mobile phone cameras and compact digital cameras.  However, the sign Digital Cameras USA that you find in most stores refers only to high-end digital cameras that come with zoom, video, flash, high pixel and memory features.

 

It has already been decades since digital cameras have been launched to replace the film cameras.  The transition wasn’t pretty in the beginning, which resulted to unsightly and bulky digital cameras.  But manufacturers have solved the size problems and digital cameras can’t get any smaller.  In the digital camera world, small doesn’t also mean small features; most digital cameras have all the features you can ever ask for.

 

Digital Cameras: Taking an Edge over Film Cameras

 

Most pic enthusiasts have already traded their film cameras for digital cameras.  However, there are still some who haven’t.  They basically are not aware of these special features and benefits they can get with digital cameras. 

 

1.  Handy.  The materials used in manufacturing digital cameras are practically smaller, lesser and weigh less.  For this reason, digital cameras come in amazingly small sizes; some even fit inside back pockets.  Digital cameras are definitely very handy and convenient to carry around.

 

2.  Share and Transfer Photos Easily.  Digital pics captured from digital cameras are stored in an external memory card.  And since it is external, it can be easily detached and attached to a PC.  Photos can easily be printed and shared and transferred online.  Moreover, digital cameras also have sockets for USB cables.  They have the ability to be directly connected to a personal computer for photo transfer without removing the external memory card.

 

3.  Video Recorder Feature.  With digital cameras you not only preserve special moments in still, but in motion as well.  Digital cameras have video recorders that grant you to record events in motion.  This feature definitely grants you to re-experience special moments.

 

4.  Monitor.  At the back of digital cameras is a monitor or screen that allows you to view recently taken pics.  Compared to film cameras, this feature grants you to save on memory space or film.  You can judge if the picture you took is worth saving, if not then you may just easily delete it.  Then, you can just re-shoot the scene until you get the perfect photo. 

 

5.  Reusable Memory.  The best thing about digital cameras is its reusable memory.  You do not have to use a new memory card every time your old card is full.  You can just easily save your photos to your PC, empty the memory card and voila!  You can use the memory again!

 

Digital cameras definitely beat film cameras in almost everything.  What’s more is that a digital camera can be easily purchased on the internet.  You can practically shop for one at the comfort of your own home and time.  There are numerous websites that sell Digital Cameras USA.  However, digital cameras have different features, so it will be best that you know what you want and where you’re going to use your digital cameras.  Like film cameras, digital cameras are manufactured in special editions for professional photographers.  If you do professional photography, then stick to high-end digital cameras.  Moreover, the on the internet stores might also be able to assist you select your digital camera.  Most of them have reviews for each product they sell online, including digital cameras.  They even provide helpful tips so their every customer’s shopping experience is made convenient, simple and speedy as possible.

Russ Snapper asked:


Many brands of discount digital cameras are available from manufacturers such as Kodak, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus and Canon amongst others.

Why these cameras are discounted?  The reasons could be like they have been over bought with a lot of stocks left or it could be a means of making you enter their store. Websites use discounted items to grab your attention to their website many times. On the web purchasing has emerged as a massive market and it can save some money to the company when you purchase online. As expenses such as opening a store, paying out salaries for employees, purchasing shelves and other fixtures are not incurred, these savings can be passed on to you to some extent.

By saving money on the purchase of discount digital camera, you’ll feel great as by not paying the full price, you still have the same quality. The digital cameras are exactly the same as the difference here exists only on the price. Hence, why should you pay an pricey price as you can get the same camera when you purchase it on a discount?  With the money thus saved, you can purchase other great add-ons for your digital camera.

Finding discount digital cameras is easier over websites. The question is which digital camera to choose. You can find discount digital cameras from most major digital camera manufacturers. You should have a basic idea of the options, features and brand name of the digital camera you want to buy. You can also find from sale bills and newspapers about different types and brands of digital cameras along with the prices offered at many stores. Some times, though the deals are advertised over the internet, they may not have them in their stores. Earlier the digital cameras had one thing in common when compared with non-digital cameras, (i.e.) an costly price tag. However the cost of digital cameras has dropped so much recently that you can buy a digital camera for less than $250.

When buying a discount camera, you’ve to be aware of at least the buzzword ‘Megapixel’ related with digital cameras. Megapixel refers to the number of pixels available per million or the resolution of the image. This is important to be considered because Megapixel directly relates to the image quality obtained. The factors such as budget, mega pixels, exposure control, battery life, user controls and Zoom lens are all important while making a choice of a camera and to get the best out of it. Knowing these features will save you time when you start looking for a discounted digital camera.

You’ve to understand also the type of software that is needed for the discount camera you’ve planned to buy. Because all digital cameras do not use the same software for storing or to transfer the photos from the camera to the personal. Make sure that the software supplied will be compatible with your personal, without the need for upgrading your older computer for the sake of having the photos on your computers.

If you don’t have an idea of the features you need, you can also then search by brand name of the digital camera and read all about the various models offered. Still, Price should not be the only factor when you shop for discount cameras, but also certain basic features.

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


As many of us are aware there are different types of cameras that you can purchase. These cameras are equipped with certain features that make life comfortable for the camera enthusiast, and one of the best cameras to invest in is that of a Canon digital camera. Before you buy this camera you will need to find the various Canon digital camera prices.

These Canon digital camera prices will differ from camera model to camera model. In some cases you will find that the newer versions of your favorite camera are more costly when compared with the earlier version. To keep up to date with the current Canon digital camera prices you should make enquires before you buy it.

One of the many Canon digital cameras that you can buy is that of the Canon Digital Rebel XT. The price for this digital camera at the time of released was about $900. You might still be able to find this camera retailing for that price at some camera stores but for the most part you should be able to buy this camera for a lower price.

When this Canon digital camera was released the many features in the camera made it a success. These features are one of the main reasons why you can find these Canon digital camera prices at this amount. Another of the Canon digital cameras that you can buy is that of the Canon Digital SD500.

This interesting camera was released around about February 2005. At this point the Canon Digital SD500 was priced at about $650. On seeing this price, you might be led to believe that because the price of this Canon digital camera is lower than the canon Digital Rebel XT, that it is an inferior model. This simply isn’t the case.

This Canon digital camera is from another camera series and the features that are found with this type of Canon digital camera is the reason for the price. As you’re looking at these and other Canon digital camera prices you will need to see what sort of features and abilities these cameras are able to do.

The final Canon digital camera that we’re going to look at is that of the Canon Digital PowerShot S2. This compact camera was sold at about $500 at the time of sale in 2005. The many people who buy this camera, like the great features which allows them to combine a digital camera with that of the motion picture making capabilities of a camcorder.

The different Canon cameras that have just been listed are only a few of the model varieties that are available. You’ll need to see what the Canon digital camera prices are like for all of these when you are choosing the Canon digital camera that you want.

aldrin garcia asked:


My top 20 key questions to ask yourself when buying a digital camera.

1. How many “megapixels” /resolution?

Once and for all, at least to me, you’ve to get the highest resolution your money can purchase at the time you purchase. Period.

2. Who made the lens?

Most cameras will give you an idea where the lens was made just by looking at the front of the lens. Know if the lens of your camera came from a reputable company like Leica, Zeiss, Canon, Etc… Lens quality is one of the most important factors you should think about especially if you’re going to use it for commercial, technical or scientific purposes.

3. Will I need interchangeable lenses? How many are available for my specific camera in mind?

Having the option of interchangeable lenses gives you the freedom to experiment with different kinds of focal lengths. Even though some P&S (point and shoot) cameras can rival DSLR’s with a generous zoom range for a non interchangeable lens system.

Also note the number of lenses available for use with your specific camera because of flexibility reasons. You can practically cover the entire “zoom range” with interchangeable lenses versus modest zoom ranges on non interchangeable lens systems or P&S cameras.

4. Does it have a zoom ability? What is the range?

Nearly all applications that I listed above will need some form of zooming in (telephoto) or out (wide angle), especially if you do not have the space to move around the object you are shooting.

For Landscape shots, wide angle shots are very common and appealing while zooming in on the details serves as a break and complements the wide angle shots.

For weddings and events, you need a zoom because there will be times where you’re limited by the shooting space and you’ll have a difficult time moving around. Its a good thing to know that you can do all sorts of framing without even moving from your position.

A nice zoom will give you the efficiency and versatility in your photography, so my recommendation is to go for the longest range you can get (usually from a 7X to a 10X for Point and Shoots).

Also note the speed of zooming in or out as this will be a factor if you’re shooting events like weddings. You’ll fail to capture that “decisive moment” on a mediocre zoom speed.

5. Does it have the provision to capture raw images?

Many photographers will state you’ll need this digital camera feature if you want to have large prints from your photos. Even though this is correct, the main reason why you’ll want this is because of the benefit it will give you…pure total control of your pictures… from exposure, color, metadata, hdr and a lot more.

6. Can I attach an external flash?

Having an external flash ability will give you the power and creative freedom to light your subjects any which way you like.

You can connect your digital camera to all sorts of lighting equipment thus giving you more options and versatility. This comes in the form of a hotshoe or a PC-Sync socket.

If your digital camera doesn’t have this feature, there’s still hope because accessories called flash slaves are being sold by third celebration companies in different flavors that’ll also do the same job more or less.

7. Does it have a tripod socket?

Some of the most beautiful landscape photos that I have seen are undoubtedly made with a tripod, so this is a must have if you’re planning to do this kind of photography.

The “available light shots” in a wedding, still life and product shots, studio and fine art shots … all need a tripod for successful execution… so guess what happens if you don’t have a tripod socket?… You can’t effectively use a tripod!

8. Does it have automatic and manual focusing?

It won’t be evident at first why you will need this especially if you’re just starting out in photography. But if you’re like me… A total control freak when it comes to cameras… and you really want to express your creative side, this is definitely a must have.

9. Can you attach filters to it? and what filter size?

Creative expression through special effects is just one of the many reasons that makes photography fun and interesting, and experimenting with filters is one creative pursuit you should try with your photography especially if you are a beginner.

Always remember to ask if the particular digital camera you’re eyeing for can handle filters and ask for the filter size. (To save you from buying the right filter with the wrong filter size) Please note that most Digital SLRs should be able to to handle filters as most lenses that come with it have a filter thread built into the lens.

Most P&S (point and shoot) digital cameras normally doesn’t have a filter thread built-in and might need special accessories to accomplish this so you should check to know for sure.

Again, there are many third celebration accessories that you could purchase to adapt filters to your P&S digital cameras that don’t have this provisions. I will discuss all about this in a future post so watch for it. (Or subscribe to my announcement list (feed via email) so you’ll know when it’s up.

10. Can I upgrade the firmware?

The good thing about some digital camera manufacturers is that they keep on improving their digital cameras even after they sold it to you… this comes in the form of a firmware upgrade.

Usually this involves an improvement on one or many features of a camera. Be sure that the digital camera you’re planning to purchase has an simple way of upgrading its firmware. This comes in the form of either an simple download via the manufacturer’s website (find it and bookmark it now) or a FREE CDROM.

Another caveat – be sure to take into account if a downgrade is also possible or available with your digital camera… Why is there a need a downgrade you ask?… Because, you may want to reinstall an earlier firmware… just in case you do not like the results from a firmware upgrade.

Occasionally there is a feature that’ll be removed by the upgrade that you failed to read about and you decided that you just want to keep that feature instead of a bunch of trivial upgrades from the new firmware. (Yes, I personally experienced this.)

11. Are there extra goodies or software that come with it?

Some people ignore the fact that you can save a lot of money just by doing a easy arithmetic. Did you know that you could actually get your digital camera for a lot less if you study the deals and offers on the marketplace?

If you purchase a digital camera and it comes with software that you can really use… like photoshop, elements, or any other image editing software for that matter, then you already saved some money you would otherwise spend. Some dealers will throw in lots of extras… If you just simply ask.

Always try to ask for these things that you will end up buying anyway if you don’t – like camera bags, extra lenses, extra batteries, memory cards, tripod, lens cleaners etc. Trust me… you will end up buying these things if you don’t ask for it on the deal. What have you got to lose? Simply ASK. Would you believe that I effectively lowered one of my camera purchase cost by as much as 30%? Ask away.

12. Is there Local Support in your area?

Finding the answer to this one will give you a great benefit in the long run. Would not you sleep superior at night because you feel that extra security – that in case there’s something wrong with your digital camera, you can bring it in for repair at a moments notice?

Not knowing when your camera will be repaired (or if it even arrived at a distant repair facility) is one of the worst feelings a photographer can have especially if you are in the middle of a photoshoot or project.

13. What type of warranty does it have? Worldwide / Countrywide?

If you travel a lot its good to know that a countrywide or even superior – a worldwide warranty can get your camera fixed wherever you’re. Always bring the warranty card and glue it on your camera bag.

14. Does it have the capability to take video and audio?

I know, most DSLRs do not have this function. But some non interchangeable lens DSLRs have it. This is a very useful feature to have if you’re on a project or photoshoot and want to document or record a procedure, a moment, or an idea that you would otherwise have trouble remembering or even writing. It’s always a good idea to bring a P&S camera backup that have this function.

The things that you could do with audio and videoclips on a photoshoot are only limited by your imagination… interviews, documentation, funny quips, training procedures, bloopers, etc..

15. Does it have a manual white balance?

White balance is one of the most interesting aspects of digital cameras. Its fun and fascinating to work with. Having this option puts the photography fun-o-meter way way up. In future posts, I’ll be discussing white balance in detail so be sure to stay tuned.

16. How sensitive is it to infrared?

If you’re planning to make infrared pictures or enter the exciting world of Infrared fine art photography then you’ll want to know if your digital camera can do it.

TIP: There’s a simple way to test how sensitive your digital camera is to infrared using a very common device – a TV remote control. For P&S, you can aim the remote control towards the lens and gauge how bright the LED from remote is. This should give you an idea how sensitive your digital camera is to infrared. For DSLRs you’ll need to take shots of the LED and experiment a tiny or you can simply research or google the particular camera model you’ve in mind for other people’s experiences and thoughts about it.

17. How high is the ISO sensitivity? Is it manually adjustable?

ISO sensitivity is a term referring to the sensitivity of film to light. In the digital camera world, it refers to the sensitivity of the electronic sensor in your digital camera in relation to the ISO standard used for film.

The higher the ISO sensitivity of your camera the faster or better it can record a specific amount of light.

High ISO sensitivity is useful for taking better photos in dark settings… such as inside a church or at night. The higher the ISO setting, the more details you can capture of a dark scene.

One caveat – take note of the amount of noise a particular camera exhibits at higher ISOs. Some people enjoy it and some do not. Again, don’t be afraid to ask or do research on the noise characteristics of your camera model in mind to see if this is the right choice for you.

18. How high or low can you set the shutterspeed? What are the minimum and maximum aperture settings?

Shutterspeed and aperture settings are the basic mechanisms that drive your camera and controls the amount of light that is exposed by the film or image sensor.

You use high shutterspeeds in action shots and to prevent camera shake, and you use low shutterspeeds for movement effects and bulb or long exposures. You can check for these figures on the websites that I gave you in part 1. You can see it in the technical specifications for a particular camera.

A bulb or “T” function is a nice feature to have because you can take exposures for virtually very long periods of time. Another feature to have is if your camera has a remote control to use this bulb or “T” mode. This gives you the ability to take photos without holding your camera and adding to the “camera shake”.

With the subject of apertures, a small one (small aperture opening) lets you have a wider depth of field so your shots are sharp from near to far versus a large aperture (big aperture opening) where your shots have a narrow depth of field and appear “selectively focused”.

19. Does it have some form of an image stabilizer?

New cameras coming out as we speak often have this feature. Simply put, an image stabilizer is some form of a mechanism built into the lens or the camera body (depending on the manufacturer and their implementation) that basically prevents you from getting blurred photos when taking photos in low light or you’re using a long or telephoto lens. Having this feature can mean the difference between a blurry picture (aka no picture!) to a usable one.

20. How close can it focus? Macro capabilities?

The closer your camera can focus… the larger the picture of an object you can take in relation to the image dimensions of the final pic… and the bigger the picture of the object… the more detail you can get. If you want to take pictures of small objects such as flowers and fine details then this is a must-have.

That’s it. Whew.

Do you really have to go over all these questions?… Of course not, but even if you only study and ponder on half of them…and take the time… I promise you that one thing will surely happen…

You will be…

a lot smarter!

than when you first started asking these questions… ergo you will be in a better position to decide what digital camera to purchase… Because you are now armed with the most powerful tool anybody can have

the power of information!

In any case, I hope you find as much value in these questions as many of my friends have and be able to get the camera of your dreams.

Enjoy!

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Digital cameras have been used for different occasions and events. These events can be weddings, birthdays and photos of nature. The various Canon digital cameras are suited for both the novice photographer as well as the more experienced professional. In the digital camera range the Canon Elf Digital camera has the ability to provide better images to the users.

The various models of Canon Elf Digital cameras are about the size of a credit card. The Canon Elf Digital camera is considered to be among the smallest digital cameras that have been produced. While this camera is small in size it still manages to give you high quality photos.

The Canon Elf Digital camera cases are made from strong substances like steel that will protect the camera body from a variety of difficulties that you may encounter. The stylish look will make this an appealing digital camera for you to buy. Most of the newly made Canon Elf cameras have a flat appearance.

Some of these digital cameras will have an automatic lens cover. This cover will protect your digital camera when it isn’t in use. Since the Elf camera is made from steel and it has a protective covering for the camera lens you can take this camera along with you whenever you go out.

There are lots of great features that can be found with the different digital cameras like red eye reduction, fast shutter speeds, and a variety of scene modes like automatic, sports action mode, portrait mode, and landscape mode.

Most of the digital cameras that are being sold in the world are known by one name like Nikon, Minolta and Canon Elura digital cameras. The Canon Elf Digital camera models will have other names in a variety of countries.

For instance, in Japan the Canon Elf Digital camera is called the Ixy Digital camera, and in Europe and South East Asia it goes under the name of Digital Ixus.

The ideal fact that’s known and recognized about the Canon Elf Digital camera range is that it has been designed to merge traditional photography with that of digital photography.

The many experts who review various digital cameras state that the Canon Elf Digital camera line has some superior digital camera products that are excellent for anyone who is looking to expend their picture taking capabilities with no problems.

The Canon Elf Digital camera will make an excellent choice for the amateur hobbyist who is looking to expend their photographic capabilities, and also for the novice who is just starting out on their photographing jaunts.

Andrew Gates asked:


The digital camera market this day offers buyers a large number of choices, with products in widely differing price ranges, sizes and degree of operational complexity. From miniatures the size of a credit card, to fully functional professional SLR (Single Lens reflex) systems, you can buy a digital camera from manufacturers including traditional camera brands such as Canon, Olympus, Nikon, film companies such as Kodak and Fuji, and consumer electronic companies like Sony. Then there are other options that include the mobile phone manufacturers, and webcam suppliers.

The advantages of digital photography are numerous. Topmost is the fact that there is no film processing: costly both in cost and time. But there’s also the advantage of smaller sized equipment, portable media and instant picture viewing. And if you don’t like what you see, you simply delete it and shoot again: no wastage.

If you like to take pictures, being a digital photographer makes a lot of sense. But which camera is the ideal one for you? In a field of excess abundance, how do you narrow down what you need? How much to pay? How many megapixels? (What are they anyway?) Which brand? How much memory?

Digital CamerasEvery shopper is different.

At MyShopping.com.au we recognise this fact, and so we list practically all brands and models from hundreds of suppliers. These listings include the cold hard digital data facts about each camera and a range of comparative pricings offered by different suppliers. But just as each shopper is different, each photographer is different too. And just having the facts might not make you feel any more knowledgeable about which camera is right for you.

You could start with the question: What sort of photos will you take with your new digital camera? This is a valid starting point because from here you can start to qualify your stipulations in terms of technical ability and price. What sort of pictures will you take with your new digital camera?

Is it simply for happy snaps whenever you get together with friends and family at weekends and holidays? Or are you a serious bird watcher and you want to capture nature at its finest? Perhaps you want a camera for work to record your inventory, or recording information from a client. Maybe you are a PI on a mission. The point is, you need to start by recognising that your reason for buying a digital camera may not be the same as that of your best friend who is recommending the model she purchased.

Once you have figured out the sort of photos you are going to take, you can then set about deciding on the type of camera that will meet your needs. If you need something highly portable that fits in your shirt pocket or your handbag and lets you take it anywhere you go, make size a large consideration. If you want to take seriously good photographs, and you want to pursue an artistic endeavour, make image flexibility your main concern.

It might also be worthwhile considering your own position in the digital photography experience. Are you a novice about to buy your first camera, do you have some intermediate experience, or are you an advanced user?

Someone new to the market will likely not want to spend a lot of money, nor have a lot of mind-boggling features that leave you confused. There are cameras best for beginning users that have basic ‘point and shoot’ features including optical and digital zoom lens, flexible storage media and built in flash. There’s a big range of cameras available with simple features at low cost.

If you consider yourself an intermediate user with some operational knowledge of digital camera technology, you might want to take into account more advanced features that give you more control over the pictures you take. These features usually come in a range of automatic settings and manual settings for capturing the image and different storage options in terms of resolution and picture type (raw data, jpeg, tiff). Naturally there’s some cost attached to additional features when compared to more basic cameras.

For advanced users, there are a lot of professional options you can consider; such as SLR view finding and lens interchange ability. Cameras in this range provide much greater control over the image, both before and once it is captured. These options include shutter speed and aperture adjustment, and many cameras offer the ability to manipulate images ‘in camera’, such as cropping, and brightness and contrast adjustments.

After the picture is taken

A further main consideration is what are you going to do with your images once you have them? The great beauty of digital photography is the easy fact that you can store them on digital media such as CDs and media cards, and view them on personal screens and in many cases, your television. You need print only when and those you want to see, or show to others. Digital photography also gives fantastic opportunities to manipulate your images using popular image manipulation programs, resizing them, altering brightness and contrast characteristics, and correcting problems such as red eye, or removing skin blemishes.

Most digital cameras are computer ready, able to plug directly into your Computer or Mac using USB connectors. They usually include proprietary software allowing you to easily and instantly manage your image files in pic albums or slide shows. Many digital cameras also include a video capture facility enabling you to take short motion photos.

What you want to do with your images after you’ve them can have an impact on your choice of camera. If you want to make enlarged prints for example, you’ll want a high megapixel capacity (also talked about as ‘resolution’). If you want images for website use, you’ll want to get the ideal quality images that can be reduced in resolution without severe degradation.

Beauty is in the “I”

Great pictures usually come from great conditions. You capture a great moment, the light is just right, the subject is at the perfect distance, the image is perfectly framed. But not each digital camera offers the flexibility to make the best of existing light conditions, or position. Most digital cameras (certainly at the budget end) come with a built in automatic flash, which is terrific for happy snaps in darkened environments. And the automatic flash automatically does not ‘go off’ in bright sunny conditions. But in those times when you want to use the existing light, you need a camera that gives you manual control over the operation or not, of the flash.

Moreover, most digital cameras in the lower and medium price ranges are highly automated. If you’re moving from a traditional SLR film camera where you’ve maximum control over shutter speed, aperture and ISO speeds, it might be frustrating to not have easy access to the same range of tools to take advantage of existing light conditions.

In the more advanced (and therefore more expensive) range of digital cameras, most lens and aperture functions are available in exactly the same way as other SLR systems. What differs is how the colours and light of the image is translated through pixel capture compared to the chemical processing systems.

You might want a wide range of focus options. Most digital cameras have two different types of image magnification, lens magnification (zoom) that might be equivalent of a 35mm to 150 mm lens, and a digital magnification that might be to ten-fold (expressed as x10). This provides you with zoom lens ability, which may be limited in its depth of field control and is subject to soft focus and movement if the conditions aren’t just right, and a digital magnification of the pixel image. If being able to capture magnified distant images is important to you, you need more megapixels, and a lens system that gives you some control over its focus and aperture management.

A final word on accessory

Digital cameras are electronic equipment. That means they run on batteries, and if you use your camera a lot, you’ll find that you will be frequently replacing batteries. Some cameras have rechargeable batteries; others simply use dry cells (AA), which you can of course load with rechargeable ones. It pays to have spare batteries so that you always have a charged power source. Some cameras have docking stations to help manage the connection with personal. Many digital SLR cameras have interchangeable lens systems, some of which might be compatible with traditional film SLRs.

You can also print your own photos at home with special printers that handle standard photograph paper, and connect directly to your camera. Even though it might be less pricey to simply take your camera’s card, or a CD to your local camera store, and now many supermarkets and department stores, and use the automatic printing machines to print the images you want.

There’s a lot you can do with a digital camera, and you can pay les than $200, or more than $10,000. It all depends on how you see yourself as a photographer, what you’re shooting, and what you want to do with your photos. At Myshopping.com.au you can very quickly compare specifications and prices.

Nicholas Tan asked:


Digital cameras come in many sizes, colors, brands, zooms, resolutions, playbacks, etc. There are so many features and qualities that are being placed in the devices that buyers especially first timers become overwhelmed and dizzy with these outstanding arrays of gadgets. This is even without including the various advertisements and different ratings that are used to promote these products.

So what are the things to look for if you want to buy digital camera? To be able to answer these, there are 2 sets of information you have to know before you can decide. The first type of information is defining what YOU need and want in a digital camera. To do this, you can ask yourself the following questions:

- What do you want to take with your digital camera? Before you purchase digital camera, it is important to determine what kind of pictures you want to take with it. If you’re a digital photography enthusiast, any digital camera will not just do. You have to look for features that can support the zooming you need, the resolution, etc.

- How much is your budget? This is a very important question any person who intends to buy digital camera should ask. Because no matter what your needs and wants are for the device, your financial resource will play a massive part in dictating the type of digital camera you will buy.

- What are you resources? When you purchase digital camera, sometimes the spending does not end there. You also have to consider the capacity and the power of the computer and the printer you’ll be hooking your camera with for your editing and printing needs. Editing software are already included when you buy digital camera but other devices aren’t. Aside from a printer, ink and paper for printing, you might also need additional memory cards for your camera and a more powerful personal to support image editing and image storage and retrieval.

After answering these 3 questions, the second set of information you need to know before you buy digital camera are the features that you need in the device. These are:

- Resolution. Before you buy digital camera, check first its capacity to produce high quality pic images. The number of pixels indicated determines resolution. The more number of pixels, the higher the resolution which can make pics to be enlarged without losing image quality.

- Built-in memory. Digital cameras need memory cards for picture storage. When you buy digital camera, make sure that the gadget that you buy does not only have a “built-in” memory but should also have a card slot for external and additional memory. This grants you to change full memory cards conveniently while shooting your pictures.

- Look and feel. It is essential for you to feel comfortable holding your digital camera while shooting. So, before you purchase digital camera, it good to test and check if you are comfortable holding it and using it. Consider where the buttons are located and how they are spaced out and see also if you feel comfortable using the viewfinder.

- Battery life. Digital cameras use up batteries fast and batteries are costly. Before you purchase digital camera, consider if the camera’s batteries are rechargeable. This way you can recharge them. Take also into consideration an AC adapter when you buy digital camera. You can attach this to the camera when you’re viewing your photos or uploading them

- LCD. The LCD is a special consideration you’ve to look into when you buy a digital camera. This is a small screen located at the back of a digital camera that grants you to preview the pictures you took. This has to be considered when you purchase digital camera because it uses up a lot of battery power.

- Special features. Special features that will suit your needs should be thought about, too before you purchase digital camera. If you want your camera to have good zooming, you can opt for those with optical zoom lenses. A diopter adjustment on the digital camera’s viewfinder will also be beneficial to those who regularly wear glasses and wish to buy digital camera. Other features such as remote control, tripods, etc. can also be considered when you purchase a digital camera.

With these information, you can now figure out what you really need and want before you buy digital camera. If you want to see ratings and rankings of these devices based on price, resolution or other features, check out various websites that have these in the World wide web.

Orlando Thompson asked:


(c) 2008 Orlando Thompson

The best way to find out about digital cameras is with a digital camera buying guide. You can find out all the information about each specific digital camera and what features the digital camera has as well as how they operate. The buying guide is a great place to begin shopping. Some of the information in the guide will include the battery options, storage, lenses and megapixels.

The information you find will help you choose a digital camera that’ll fit your needs. This is the most comprehensive guide for digital camera buying. You can get this guide in print or use the World wide web, which has the same information. The digital camera buying guide has reviews of the digital cameras, which should help you decide if the digital camera is worth the time and money.

The reviews come from testing the digital cameras to see the ease of use and can explain how the features work or do not work. If you plan to purchase a digital camera, you will find the buying guide very useful. For the first time user, this guide can be beneficial. If you already have a digital camera and want something comparable or better, the guide is where you should look.

You can find over thirty-five hundred reviews of digital cameras when you look at the digital camera buying guide. Many on the web sites have all the information you need to decide which digital camera will work the best for you. The guide will help you with things that you need to consider when buying a digital camera. If you’re looking for a professional digital camera or a digital camera for general photos, the buying guide will help you choose the best one.

Before you go and purchase a digital camera, you need to compare different digital cameras to find out which ones are highly rated plus which digital cameras have all the features you’re looking for.

It really depends largely on what you personally are looking for in a digital camera but these are comments of different personal wants and the features that they found important.

The Snapshooter

I want to take pics that I can e-mail to friends and family, post on the Web, or print in sizes smaller than 8�10 inches. I’d like a digital camera that is easy enough for the whole family to use and small enough to take anywhere. I will be printing on an affordable, all-purpose inkjet printer or getting pic prints from the local drugstore, though I will think about buying a photo printer if I like the photos enough. If this is your purpsose these are The specs that matter. Resolution It doesn’t matter. Most cameras on the market today have sufficient resolution for your needs. Price $150 to $300, lens type Zoom (range encompassing at least 38mm to 114mm, 35mm equivalent) Storage media Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard Pic file format JPEG Interfaces USB, NTSC/PAL television connection, exposure controls automatic, programmed scene modes, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure), focus controls automatic, flash modes automatic, fill, red-eye reduction, software Pic stitching, photo album, slide show, multimedia VGA (640�480), 30fps video-clip recording with sound, other cool features to look for Direct-to-printer (PictBridge) output compatibility, in-camera red-eye removal, automatic exposure fix, optical or mechanical image stabilization, face detection.

The Trendsetter

I like to purchase the newest, shiniest toys before anyone else does. I want to impress my friends and business associates with the latest technologies and coolest features, but not if it makes the product too complicated to use. Although I do want the best deal available the cost of the digital camera isn’t my number one concern. For the trendsetter the specs that matter are resolution 8 megapixels or greater, price Less than $1,000 lens type Zoom (range encompassing at least 36mm to 108mm, 35mm equivalent), storage media Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or SD/HC, pic file format JPEG, interfaces USB, HDMI, or component HDTV television connection, exposure controls automatic, programmed scene modes, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure), focus controls automatic, flash modes automatic, fill, red-eye reduction Software Photo-stitching, photo album, slide show, multimedia 720p (1,280�720) video-clip recording with sound and functioning zoom during video, other cool features to look for Ultracompact design, Webcam abilities, voice recording, Wi-Fi support, 3-inch LCD, simultaneous video and pic capture, 12X or greater optical zoom, optical or mechanical image stabilization, face detection.

The Business user

I need to be able to shoot onsite or in the office, photograph products and people for ads and publicity in print and on the Web, and get professional-looking results without hiring a pro. I need to get prints in a variety of ways, including from a color laser printer or quick-print shop. I’ve to share the camera with my coworkers. The specs that matter for the business user are resolution 7 megapixels or greater, price $400 to $700, lens type Zoom (range encompassing at least 36mm to 130mm, 35mm equivalent), storage media CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or SD/HC, pic file format JPEG or TIFF, interfaces USB, NTSC/PAL television connection, exposure controls automatic, aperture- and shutter-priority, manual, choice of metering modes, bracketing, focus controls automatic, manual flash modes automatic, fill, red-eye reduction, external flash compatibility, software pic editor; collaborative image sharing, multimedia voice recording, built-in speaker for audio playback, other cool features to look for Support for digital security, Wi-Fi, text-capture mode, world clock.