IT IS NOT TOO LATE to avail the pre-Valentine bargains for your first camera or having an upgraded unit at the start of the New Year. Looking for a new digital camera is quite a time consuming task - finding the best deals on top of new models in the market (high street and on-line).
Choosing a digital camera is not simple. It is not easy to pick the best one from the others because each camera user or potential buyer has different requirements, interests and levels of ability to use it. Thus, deciding to get one depends on what you want from the camera and the value for your money. It is still convenient if you have already identified some basic features of the camera that will suit your requirements as an amateur, or professional. Unless otherwise, you don’t have much information and experience to help you decide finding the best fit for your need and interest.
To make the search easier and rewarding, I identified key fundamental elements and factors to consider in purchasing a digital camera. These are only guides for you where to start in choosing a digital camera and to simplify the buying process, not making it more complicated. Just pick only those elements you think match your choice rather than to prescribing you all and getting overwhelmed with superfluous featured functions.
Based from my own experience, it is not the sophisticated features of the camera that will make images stunning and likeable, but it will always reflect back to the person’s styles and techniques who took those images that matter. Yes, having an advanced unit will dramatically improve the quality of the photos, but the person behind the camera decides how those subjects will be shot. In other words, it does not really matter what camera you got as long as you have the ‘eye’ to see and shot things differently.
WITH THIS LIST, I do hope that you could be able to find and decide what camera you like, consequently be able to enjoy what your camera can offer in capturing those memorable moments with your family and friends, those stunning places you visited during your travels; and that will continuously provide extra credibility and stable income for people who do it professionally.
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM THE CAMERA?
What is the main reason why you want to purchase one? If you are under the category of people taking pictures just for ‘fun’ - taking photos during family/friends parties and travels, and don’t care really how cameras work, then I suggest you get the ‘compact’ automatic camera. The digital compact camera can provide better quality photos than captured from a camera mobile phone. This also the right unit if you don’t want extra heavy kit for accessories (tripod, lens, batteries, manual, etc.) and if you already tired of buying films, and photo albums for sake keeping which need extra space in your cabinet. This camera is a cheap and simple point-and-shoot model which does not require sophisticated adjustment and great skill to use it. You can get it between £70-250 varying in size and style. Having this price range, you can get a super slim, waterproof models, and with ultra-zoom features, including having full set of program for shutter and aperture adjustments which could be used for any kind of subjects (landscape, sports, wildlife, etc.). Most of the compact cameras have straightforward ‘auto’ mode for every exposure decision for taking images, and some of them have a range of ‘scene modes’ for portraits, landscapes, night shots, fast moving objects, etc.
If you are a hobbyist and taking photos from your compact digital camera is not satisfying, then a ‘budget’ digital SLR (single lens reflex) or DSLR is now good for you. For further info on what SLR means, I suggest having it search in the web, but it does not really matter here as long as you can understand the main features for such type of camera. You can get this type of camera from £250-550. The DSLR camera is capable of delivering high-quality results, yet can be as simple to use a compact camera. But the big difference is that this camera is more versatile and creative, thus the images taken are not restricted by the camera itself. You can take any type of photo and the camera can offer the ways and means to do it for you. It is recommended to spend more time to read the instruction manual to minimise frustrations during those important family events that your service is needed most.
You have already been experienced with film SLR or have decided to move on from budget digital SLR to a camera with more pixels and features, then an ‘enthusiast’ DSLR is good for you. This category of camera offers more functions than you’ll probably ever need, with durable build quality and impressive performance which you could not find in cheaper models. Get one of these models can costs you from £600-1000 (body only, excluding lens). This also gives you the potential to use it for earn extra income from your photographs.
And finally, if taking photos on a daily basis as your source of income, then it is the right time to have the ‘pro’ or professional DSLR type of camera. This is the professionally specified camera with the latest photographic technology, combined with high-end features and ultra-tough build quality. It also offers shooting speed, processing power and durability, making them ideal for sports and news photographers or for the ‘paparazzi’ people who are always in the move. Because of these various features, you can get it from not less than £1850 (body only, excluding accessories).
So, before deciding which is best, you first think carefully what type or category of photographer you are. It does not mean that the most suitable camera for you is necessarily the expensive one or the newest model available in the market.
WHAT IS THE SIZE FOR THE SHOTS?
Answering this question is by explaining it in terms of ‘megapixel’ which is now becoming a popular rating factor for digital cameras. What is a megapixel? It refers to the number (in million) of pixels that a camera’s image sensor carries - the multiple of the image width and height in pixels which also determines the resolution of the photo. It means that the more pixels in the sensor the greater the level of detail it can record which provide a sharper colour to be achieved.
In other words, the number of pixels/megapixels in a camera gives the maximum size the image can be printed without distortion or ‘noise’ (graining). To print digital images requires a ratio of 300 pixels per inch (ppi) or dots per inch (dpi) as the easiest way to understand how far you can enlarge your image. For example, a 3 megapixels (3000000 pixels) can produce images measuring 2000x1500 pixels; thus dividing it with 300 ppi, the image could be printed to a 6.5x5 inches size (approximately good for 6x4 inches picture size). For a 6 megapixels camera, it can produce images measuring 3000x2000 pixels or 10x6.5 inches size.
Therefore, for a 6x4 print, you need at least 1 megapixel, then for letter size (10x8 print), you need at least 7.2 megapixels, and for an A4 size, you need 3510x2490 pixels or 8.7 megapixels camera. But in reality, a good camera having a 3.2 megapixels can print up to A4 print size but it more comfortable to get a 5 megapixels for A4 enlargements. Take note that for having a high resolution camera has to process and save larger image files which means it is slower for saving images and the continuous shooting speed is lower. Thus, larger files also require bigger memory cards which give you additional cost.
High megapixels are more inclined to ‘enthusiasts’ and ‘pro’ photographers who want to capture a high level of detail. The difference between the 3 megapixels and 7 megapixels is insignificant or negligible when the images are printed out at a standard size (6x4 prints). So don’t be easily impressed with higher pixel rating that a camera has, but check out other specifications. Sometimes a digital camera with a lower pixel rating has a broader and better range of other features and offers the best value for your money.
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES YOU NEED?
There are basic function features and specifications that you need for a camera to be more functional. In most cases, the range of functions on digital camera is irresistible and cant be ignored. But some features are more important than others. Here are the main ones to look out for, but it is up for you to decide which suit your need and interest.
**Lens and Zoom Range
An optical zoom lens is one of the most useful features for the majority of digital cameras. The standard for a compact camera is 3x optical zoom which allows you to magnify your subject three times. Digital zoom is not real zoom but it is an artificial magnification of the image by just ‘expanding’ and ‘cropping’ the photo in the LCD screen that tend image resolution to go down and the quality suffers.
**Manual/Automatic Mode
All digital cameras offer either an ‘auto’ mode or ‘manual’ mode. A complete automatic mode requires nothing from your except to press the shutter button while the manual mode allows to adjust to change or manually controlling the way your camera exposes a shot (shutter speed and aperture priority). Some cameras have a ‘semi’ program auto mode where automates the exposure settings but allows you to change certain factors. These modes are the key elements in creative digital photography and operate quite similar to the 35mm cameras.
LCD screen
Somehow it is also considered in buying a new camera. It is easier to view, compose and play back images in larger LCD screen. It is also beneficial to have LCDs that flip out (similar to my camera now) and swivel (camcorder style) which is good for tricky shooting angles (like taking personal image).
Memory Cards and Batteries
This is one of the key considerations for any digital camera. Most of the cameras support either Lithium-ion battery pack or ordinary AA-sized Ni-MH batteries which are rechargeable type. Some of the cameras are not using rechargeable batteries which could mean additional maintenance cost. The common types of memory cards include SD (security digital) format, xD picture card and the memory sticks. The CompactFlash is less common but normally used for DSLR cameras. If you have existing camera, make sure that your new unit is compatible with the old one, or also compatible with your PC/laptop.
Others (video mode, size, weight, build and durability)
Well, almost compact cameras has video mode feature but not popular with DSLRs. The most common movie formats include MPEG, AVI and VGA. Everyone wants to carry a small camera, but more likely they have fewer features and more difficult to use as their controls are smaller and closer together. So, the bigger and heavy ones have larger image sensors which give you better quality and detail. And for build quality and durability, it always goes back to the credibility of the manufacturers, including the materials used for the body and accessories.
WHAT IS YOUR PURCHASING POWER?
Generally, digital cameras are grouped according to their megapixel rating. Every step up of megapixels brings sharper images but it cost more money. Again, going back to what kind of photographer you are, there is no need to spend more money if you just need a small camera that provides you better quality images, easy to use and convenient to carry around. As I mentioned earlier, a compact camera will cost you around $70-250, for budget type for hobbyists is between £250-550, and for ‘enthusiast’ type photographers cost you between $600-1000 (body only), and for sophisticated units are not less than £1850 (body only).
In addition, having it purchased on-line gives you the best price compared it from the high street/retailers. But you don’t have the opportunity to try out the cameras before buying it, even looking their photos sometimes misleading as to their actual size.
It is easier to return a defective camera to the shop/store than an on-line retailer, including easier access to tips and advice in proper use of the camera. So, even you paid extra pounds, but having the face-to-face assistance from the shop/store is invaluable.
One more thing to remember is the warranty of the camera. It is unusual for a new camera not to function properly. But it is recommended to check the coverage of the warranty or there is an additional cost for having it upon purchase. For sophisticated and expensive units, it is advisable to get a warranty and you should familiarise with the ‘return policy’ if the camera is not working well.
And most importantly, some people prefer to buy it abroad (like in the US) to get lower price. Having purchased overseas has some negative implications in terms of bringing it back home for possible import/duty tax charges and warranty coverage. Well, you can avoid paying the tax upon arrival but not declaring it is a good example of ‘smuggling’ which is an illegal act. It’s up for you to decide for whatever negative consequences it might cause you.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There you go
I tried to identify the basic things to consider in buying a new digital camera or having an upgrade of your old unit. It is now your choice to find the best camera that fits your need - either being a hobbyist or professional. If you don’t know much about photography and don’t really bother to learn, then an expensive and complicated camera will not give you better results, thus it will cost you more and will make things complicated. However, if you are the type of person who wants to develop and improve your photographic skills and have extra source of income, then it is worth investing in a sophisticated type of camera and giving you a higher-resolution sensor with longer zoom range.
NOTE: This is originally posted in dooyoo.co.uk: This is the link:
Digital Camera.
My latest compact camera is Olympus Stylus 790SW which could be used for under water and extreme temperature - it works under pressure! Im also using Olympus IR-500, Sony Cybershot DSC W55. If you are interested to see the quality of the images taken from these cameras, visit my flickr site:
Digital Explorer
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