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UNDERSTAND DIGITAL CAMERAS
Now I'm going to explain the basics of digital camera technology.
Just so you have an idea about what's important. If you know this
already, and want to know much more about digital cameras,
then just check out the resource section at the end of this page...
Ready?
Let's begin with a question:
WHAT EXACTLY IS A DIGITAL CAMERA, and why should you want one?
Well, in many respects, the digital camera has come to not only
rival traditional (analogue) cameras but better them in virtually
all respects.
Simplistically, the difference between a digital camera
and a non-digital camera is in how the images are recorded.
Instead of using the analogue medium of film, digital cameras
record images on reusable memory cards (and several memory formats
exist).
Flash, shutter speeds, aperture control - all of these factors
still apply with digital cameras, though many digital cameras behave
like Compact cameras with fixed shutter speeds etc.
So, digitally recording the image means that there are no developing
costs, and you only have to print the photos that you like.
And because you can see the photos that you're taking - see below
- you're much more likely to take decent photos in the first
place. (In theory, anyway! :-) )
The trouble is (like their analogue cousins) digital cameras can
be complicated to use, and even more complicated to understand what
you're buying in the first place.
So, what I'm going to briefly focus on is...
WHAT MAKES A DIGITAL CAMERA DIFFERENT?
Because when it comes to choosing a digital camera there are many
different considerations to keep in mind, as compared to conventional
(analogue) cameras.
So, let's try discuss some of the buzz words, and explain their
importance.
o MEGAPIXELS
This refers to the maximum resolution of the highest quality image
that the camera is capable of capturing.
A digital camera's top resolution depends on the size of the CCD
(charge-coupled device - converts light into electrical current).
So a 2-megapixel camera typically produces an image size of 1600x1200
pixels. However, 3-, 4- 5- or higher megapixel camera will produce
higher resolution images, allowing you to print enlargements without
losing image quality.
Usually, a high megapixel camera means better quality images, but
this is also dependent on the quality of the camera lens, too.
This guide gives a clearer idea of how pixel ratings affect image
size (if quality remains the same):
megapixel size
1 megapixel
2 megapixel
3 megapixel
4 megapixel
5 megapixel |
photo size
6x4
5x7
10x8
12x16
16x20 |
NB A pixel is the smallest element of a digitised image.
Tip: Choose a model with enough pixels to enable it to grow
with your needs (as large as you can afford, really).
o LCD SCREENS
A Liquid Crystal Display screen built into the camera allows you
to see the images you have just captured in full colour, and also
accurately preview your photos in advance.
(The LCD screen is, in my mind, what makes digital photography
so much more fulfilling than 'old-style' analogue photography! Now
you no longer need to wait for film to be processed before seeing
what you've achieved, or what a mess you've made! ;-) )
The LCD screen is also used to display the camera's menu system.
Tip: Make sure you have a decent LCD screen for on-the-
spot viewing. Sometimes though, due to lighting etc., it's also
important to be able to use an ordinary, optical, view finder.
o DIGITAL ZOOM
A digital zoom operates via software and can only guess the extra
detail required to zoom in on a subject. However an optical zoom
with a moving lens that enlarges the image as it hits the CCD is
far better.
(The lens should also have a quick and accurate auto focus.)
Tip: Be wary of digital zooms. An optical zoom is the real
thing, and will give you the best quality. A camera with both types
of zoom is best, really.
o MEMORY CARDS
Memory is the equivalent of film in conventional cameras. It's
what stores the photographs.
Almost all digital cameras allow extra memory to be added in the
form of removable memory cards. Alas, there are a number of memory
card formats in common usage today. The most prevalent are CompactFlash
and SmartMedia.
Tip: Buy a decently-sized memory card when you buy your
camera (big as possible), and make sure you download pictures regularly,
so that you don't run out of memory when you're out snapping.
~~~~~
Digital cameras also contain items like built-in flash, mode
dials, shutter release buttons, and lenses (obviously), that you'd
expect to find on a conventional camera.
And, more and more, you're likely to find that a digital camera
is also able to double up as a digital camcorder too - i.e. you
can record movies.
~~~~~
The above is a VERY BRIEF GUIDE to the technology behind digital
cameras.
That may be all you need to know, and you're now happy to rely
on the recommendations of others - see
what digital camera to buy - but then again you might also
want to know much much more (about making short movies, for example).
If so, then I can recommend the following online digital camera
guides:
Or check out these books about digital cameras on Amazon
Amazon Digital
Camera Books
Or, do what I did, and visit a newsagents like WHSmiths
(UK) and find a copy of What Digital Camera or Which Camera?
Simple eh! ;-)
Steve M Nash
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