Posted to Digital Cameras Articles 2008-04-08
1) The Sensor or 'How many mega pixels?'
Regardless of whether you are purchasing a compact digital camera or a digital SLR you have many choices from as few as 4 to as many as 12+ mega pixels. If you are unsure there is a quick rule of thumb; the greater number of mega pixels, the better (you will never regret having too many mega pixels)!
2) Digital Zoom
This feature allows the image to appear closer however the resolution will be compromised. The camera interpolates (guesses and fills in missing information) which means you won't have the original picture quality. If possible, stay away from digital zoom because you simply don't need it. Remember, digital zooming can be done at home on your computer as well quite easily.
3) The Lens and Optical Zoom.
This is way more important than the digital zoom feature. The larger the focal range, the better the flexibility in your photography. When using a compact digital camera, it is recommended to buy nothing less than a 3 X (three times) optical zoom. If you buy something with a bigger zoom, look for faster apertures (allowing more light into the camera) and optical image stabilization (keeping your pictures sharper). Currently (2007) the largest optical zoom is 18 X (eighteen times).
4) The Camera Grip or Feel is Important
Unless it feels good, you may not enjoy holding it long enough to compose that perfect picture. This is especially true when dealing with those big telephoto lenses on dSLR's (digital single lens reflex). 'How a camera feels' should greatly influence your choice of purchase.
5) LCD Display
The LCD (liquid crystal display) screen allows you to see the image in a convenient manner instead of looking in the viewfinder (if your camera has one). Larger LCD panels use more power and can be lower resolution than smaller panels (due to reduced pixel count). As technology is constantly evolving, battery consumption is becoming less of a concern. Some manufacturers now have up to 3 inch LCD panels.
6) External Flash Capability
Although many cameras have a built-in flash, they aren't as powerful as an external flash. Digital cameras with a hot shoe will allow greater flexibility with your photography as you can attach an external flash for better results. Although very few compact cameras have a hot shoe, all the dSLR's have one. If External Flash capability is important to you, be sure to check out all the specifications of the manufacturers before deciding on your purchase. Some manufactures not only have greater flash strength but can allow 'Wireless Communication' with multiple strobes.
7) Battery Power
Many digital cameras use a proprietary lithium ion battery. This usually saves space in the design of the camera however, if you are traveling, it may be somewhat difficult to locate one if you need to replace it. We recommend to always carry a spare battery when traveling. If your model uses AA batteries, it may be more convenient, while traveling, to use Lithium AA batteries. Lithium AA batteries are about three times more expensive than regular alkaline AA's however they offer up to seven times more power. You can also get AA Nimh rechargeable batteries however be sure to purchase the universal rechargeable one prior to traveling. Battery power is a big consideration before purchasing.
8) Flash Memory
There are a number of different types of media used in digital cameras. Depending on the manufacturer, they may use CF (Compact Flash), SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity), SD (Secure Digital), XD or MS Pro (Memory Stick Pro which also includes Memory Stick Duo Pro and the old Memory stick design). Although manufacturers may argue the merits of their media they all essentially do the same thing; recording information from the camera. Other electronics can also use these memory cards, so you may consider what type it uses and try to match your camera's system.
9) How to Connect Your Camera
Pretty well all digital cameras connect to your TV. This allows you to watch a slide show or your camera's movies with your friends and family. A USB cable or Wi Fi enabled camera (for wireless connectivity) will also give you the ability to download your images to a PC or laptop computer. Some manufacturers use docks to link their cameras to computers and TV's for added convenience. Ensure the camera has a USB and at least a Video output. Currently some cameras have added the HD capability. Although an HD cable can be expensive, HD always adds to the picture quality while watching on HDTV.
10) Viewfinder
Some cameras use an optical viewfinder (OVF) and other digital cameras offer Electronic Viewfinders (EVF). Optical viewfinders allow the user to see an approximation of the actual photo (be careful with close-ups and check the parallax of all cameras to allow you to make corrections). The electronic viewfinder shows an image taken from the photo sensor which allows a much more accurate image by showing up to 100% of what the camera is taking. The electronic viewfinders have no problems with close-ups or parallax issues to deal with. There are other cameras which do not have a viewfinder at all (these manufacturers believe the LCD is all you need to use). Although many people use the LCD-only cameras, put thought into whether you want a viewfinder or not; your viewfinder decision may strongly influence how much you will enjoy your purchase.
