Everything Digital Cameras

Today people are switching over from film cameras to digital models. The obvious reasons are the ease with which objects are framed and shot, pictures are stored, recorded, and displayed. To top it all you can download at the comfort of your home and print the pictures.

However if you are buying one for the first time, there are chances that you will be literally lost reviewing the specifications and features offered by the numerous brands out there in the market. Do you go by mega pixels or do you go by manufacturers or by price range or by….well, there are many more classifications possible. The following guide is prepared with the intention to help you arrive at a practical model of your choice.

Various Features

Weight

This factor depends a lot on the usage of the digital camera. You want one to carry around in your pocket or purse, go for the light weight ones. No doubt they are convenient, but the have tiny buttons, controls and dials which may make the handling a little difficult. The bigger ones weigh more and have more features too.

Resolution

Cameras are categorized as mega pixels of resolution. It narrows down the range of cameras and helps you sort out beginners, intermediate and advanced groupings from these. The range is 0.1 mega pixel to 18 mega pixel and some even more. The key to choosing the right pixel camera depends on how close you wish to get to target.

2 mega pixels and less- you get reasonably sharp images and enough details for prints of 8x10s and smaller. Prints are not of very high quality but suitable enough to be posted on emails and web sites. These cameras are inexpensive.

2 to 6 mega pixels- As the resolution keeps increasing in this range, the picture quality keeps getting better. You get sharper images all at an escalated price.Eg Canon PowerShot S3, Fuji FinePix V10 etc.

http://www.reviewgist.com/digital-camera-reviews?resolution=0.1-to-5.1

6 mega pixels and more- More aren’t always good. Keep in mind higher mega pixels mean larger image sizes, expensive memory cards, and take more space of your computer’s hard drive.Eg. Canon PowerShot Pro1, Canon PowerShot S80 etc.

http://www.reviewgist.com/digital-camera-reviews?resolution=6.37-to-8.32

Zoom

Optical zoom lens- Image gets magnified by lens-3x, 4x, 10x and more, however keep in mind that very long zooms are prone to camera shake. Use a tripod to cover up for this problem. A 3x optical zoom means it can make a subject appear thrice as close. An optical zoom produces the best quality images. You can’t get too close to the object, but then a photo editing software can help you crop the image. It gives better result than using the digital zoom.

Digital zoom is a simulated optical zoom; it enlarges only the central portion of the image. The lens is not used in this case. The digital zooming effect is given by software inside. The result is most often a blurry and digitized picture. You can use both zooming effects in cameras that offer both these features.

Lens

A lousy lens can spoil all that extra resolution and image processing controls. So, before you buy one assess the final image on a computer based on these criteria:

check the lens for overall focus and sharpness, whether corners are as sharp as in the middle

check for flaring, i.e. colored circles and reflections when shooting towards light source

check if the lens offer attachments, you can add wide angle or telephoto attachments to extend the focal length range

whether manual or electronic zoom control, manual zoom offers more speed and flexibility

Memory

Unlike the film cameras the digital cameras store images in memory. Thus each time the memory is full, you can download them and the camera is ready to shoot again. Memory is of two main types: built-in and removable. Most low end cameras have the built-in memory. Removable memory cards have the advantage of upgrading the memory, particularly useful when you are taking lot of pictures in one trip.

Flash Types

It all started with photographers igniting a tray filled with gunpowder to illuminate a scene. Today digital cameras come with built in automatic flash unit combined with a sophisticated light measuring and exposure control system. They are so convenient and easy to use that we often fail to notice it.

Digital cameras are specified by a guide number which basically gives the flash power. Higher the guide number, greater the flash’s useful range. With changes in sensor speed and /or lens focal length, the guide number changes. So manufacturers instead specify the flash’s maximum range with the assumption that flashes is fully charged and the lens aperture is wide open.

Some of the common modes:

Auto mode is well known! Cameras with red eye reduction mode first fires a short burst to close the subject’s irises then the main flash and finally the picture is taken.

Fill flash modes to fill in shadows.

Flash off mode to capture the object in natural light.

Night scene mode exposes the foreground subject without underexposure of background. For maximum flash flexibility select a camera with an external hot shoe.

Some models come with just the external flash units.

Some varieties have both external and built-in flash units.

Some very compact digital Camera models come with no flash units.

Focus Type

Most digital cameras have a combination of different focus modes. In the automatic mode, when you press the shutter-release button half-way down, the focus is locked. It is also confirmed by a change of color of the focus indicator.

The Auto focus is achieved in different modes. The most common of them is the single area focus mode. The focus is on the central area of the image you find on the screen. In the spot focus mode, the focus is precisely on the center area of the screen. For shooting slow moving objects you can use the continuous auto focus mode. Be aware of the huge consumption of power in this mode.

Manual focus- This feature allows you to manually focus on the portion of a scene which may or may not be at the center of the screen. Select the area to be focused by using one of the several focus area indicators by toggling a cursor button to achieve close ups and macro shots. Some models have the focus rings for manual focus, turn it till the subject is in focus.

Fixed focus- This feature can be used to your advantage when there is pre-determined distance between the camera and the object.

The various combinations of the focus types are:

Auto focus and manual focus

Auto focus and fixed focus

Auto, manual and fixed focus

Camera Type

Standard Point and Shoot cameras- Point and shoot models are available with basic features to the ones with advanced controls and options and excellent macro capabilities. The flexibility with which these cameras can be used like in situations where it is hard to frame the subject or shooting at waist levels makes these models much sought after. It is a silent performer ideal for shooting in locations where a loud shutter clack is not appropriate.

SLR/Professional- More interesting features like interchangeable lenses, flashes, sophisticated controls and other accessories, these models are specifically designed for photographers and professionals. Eg. Nikon D40, Nikon D40x etc.

http://www.reviewgist.com/digital-camera-reviews?cameraType=SLR%2FProfessional

Compact- The features are moderate, yet small enough in size to slip it in to your pocket before you go for the party. These models are comparatively higher priced than the similarly featured standard sized cameras. Eg. Canon PowerShot SD800, Kodak EasyShare V550 etc.

http://www.reviewgist.com/digital-camera-reviews?cameraType=Compact

Ultra compact- With technology improving at a fast rate the size of the cameras is getting smaller and smaller. Cameras of the size of credit cards, slightly thicker shoot amazing pictures. No compromise on features like LCD screens (as small as 2 inch), optical viewfinder, good resolution (some with even 7 mega pixels), and good battery life too. Eg. Casio Exilim EX-S500, Samsung NV3 etc.

http://www.reviewgist.com/digital-camera-reviews?cameraType=Ultra-Compact

Battery

There are two types: rechargeable ones and disposable ones. Since digital cameras consume power very fast, especially if you are using a LCD, it is best to invest in the rechargeable ones. Some digital cameras come with AC adapters, if yours doesn’t have one, purchase one separately.

Some batteries are:

NiMH batteries are the most sought after ones today. They are rechargeable, last long, and come in various compact designs and no memory problems.

Alkaline ones are not rechargeable and don’t last long.

Lithium ion batteries are small and recharge quickly.

NiCad batteries if not charged properly can have loss of memory.

AC adapters enable you to keep shooting long after your batteries are dead!

Price

Luckily you don’t have to spend huge amounts to own one.

Low range

Even a couple of hundred bucks can fetch you a very good camera with video capabilities and nice zoom. And they are not the sub-par models of yester years. Eg. Nikon COOLPIX S5,Canon PowerShot G7 etc.

http://www.reviewgist.com/digital-camera-reviews?Price=0.01-to-237.49

Mid-range

A lot more features get added, more of mega pixels, and more powerful lenses are available in this range of cameras. Eg. Nikon D80, Nikon D200 etc.

http://www.reviewgist.com/digital-camera-reviews?Price=237.49-to-599.84

High range

These ranges of cameras are mostly for professionals with superb image rendering capacity and produce excellent photos. Eg. Nikon D2Xs, Canon EOS-1D Mark III Body Only etc.

http://www.reviewgist.com/digital-camera-reviews?Price=1437.12-to-7999.99



By: Ryan

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The day you decide that you need to buy a digital camera you will need to consider various facts. By doing this you will be ready to compare the various digital camera features and decide which digital camera you wish to buy. There are of course many features available when we talk about digital cameras so you will need to isolate what features interest you as a photographer before buying.

So you may start by asking what are the features you want are or need that will help you take great looking photographs. One important factor you might want to consider is the amount of pixel that is offered on the various type of digital cameras.

Of course if you want to compare digital camera features like this you might want to have a buyer’s guide that will list all the various features for each camera model. For example you will be able to compare the amount of pixels for each camera model you consider buying. Always keep in mind that the amount of pixels will usually determine what will be the quality of your pictures. The more pixels you have the greater the quality.

Another factor you should consider when you compare digital camera features is: What will you do with your camera. Is the camera you are looking at is for amateur photographer, semi-serious or serious photographers? Determining this will bring you one step further from buying the camera you need.

When you start to compare digital camera features you will soon be submerge by more info that you were actually looking for. They key is to look for the one you want instead of being overwhelmed by features you don’t need. Some of those feature apart form the pixel amount could be your picture options. Do you want your pictures to turn into sepia, black and white or soft pictures with the use of your filter?

One point I strongly suggest you look into when you compare digital camera features is the shooting modes you get with your camera. You should find indications about various features like the focusing or flash capabilities of various digital cameras. Whether it is Canon, Nikon, Olympus or any other brand of digital camera, make sure you don’t overlook this aspect.

Of course the information you will gather to help you compare digital camera features will mostly be of technical nature. Make sure you look at various sources of information. Another great place to look for information is to buy photography magazines. They will help you compare digital camera features that allow you to take picture with special effects.

These special effects could be special zoom capabilities that allow you to take pictures from a totally new angle or focus capabilities enabling you to crop some of the surrounding areas of you subject.

Of course if you want to take great picture (who doesn’t want to) it helps to have many different helpful features in your camera. It is up to you to find what features you want in your camera by gathering the right information and doing research in magazine, internet articles and digital camera buyer’s guide to help you compare digital camera features.

All those information will help you identify what type of camera you need to best suit your needs. You will need as much sources of information as you can to compare digital camera features. This is surely the best way to make sure you buy the one that you need.

This way you can select the best type of digital camera that is suited for your needs. To compare digital camera features you need all of these different sources. This way you have a wide choice of digital cameras to look at.



By: Frederic Madore

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A digital camera is basically a digital device that enables images to be captured. Digital camera images are stored electronically rather than on film. This process involves converting light into electrical charges, and then translating this back into the image that was seen through the digital camera LCD. Although the digital camera is a recent addition to the world of photography, the concept of the possibility of a digital camera was begun in the 1950s.

The early concept of the digital camera was closely linked to television technology. It began with digital images being recorded on scanners and in the form of digital video signals. In 1951 broadcasting companies were recording images as electrical impulses and onto magnetic tape from their television cameras, and this paved the way for digital camera technology to begin. By 1956 electrical impulse recordings were common practise within film industry, and camera manufacturers began to dream of a digital camera device.

The first record of a patent for a type of digital camera was in 1972 when Texas Instruments patented a camera that did not require film. However, the patent revealed a more analog based design rather than a digital camera, and there is no record of whether the camera was actually created. What the patent does show, however, is that interest towards a digital camera was growing with the idea that the need for film could be removed. A pioneer in the history of digital camera was Steve Sasson, an engineer at Kodak. Digital images were of the moon were being transmitted via satellite by NASA, using a mosaic photo sensor, and he saw the possibility of a digital camera for commercial use. In 1972 he began to group together available equipment used within the film industry to create an image digitally rather than on film.

Central to this early concept of the digital camera, and still used by digital cameras today, is the Charged Coupled Device. The CCD detects light and colour intensity and then converts this information into electrons. The value of each cell in the image is then read, and converted to binary format to make the image computer compatible. Steve Sasson produced his first digital camera image in 1979. The image took a total of 23 seconds to take, and a further 23 seconds to read from the playback unit. Although the digital camera image was less than perfect, it showed that the digital camera was a possibility. Kodak had developed a camera that developed picture from light, but it was never manufactured for the public.

The first camera to be marketed was the Sony Mavica electronic still camera in 1981. It was not a true digital camera as the image was recorded on mini disc, and then attached to a television or video. It was more a freeze frame video camera but it greatly influenced people`s attitude to the recorded image. It made public the possibility of a camera that stored images using techniques other than film. It still used more television technology but was the first hand held with the general idea of digital camera usage. Cameras that could transmit images via satellite became popular, but were used by the media only due to the expense incurred. The possibilities were becoming apparent and images were used for news coverage. The first camera for general use with a computer was the Apple Quicktake 100 camera which appeared in1984. In 1986 the Canon RC-701 was used for coverage of the Olympics, with quality images printed in the newspaper. This showed the possible quality, and the desire for the digital camera was born.

The first mega pixel sensor was invented in 1986. It contained 1.4 million pixels and was suitable for a digital camera image measuring 5×7 inches. In 1987 accessories for storing, printing, manipulating, transmitting, and recording digital images came onto the market, with the Fuji DS-P1 arriving in 1988. This is arguably the first true digital camera as recognised today, boasting a 16MB memory card. With the arrival of JPEG and MPEG standards in the 1990´s, the face of the digital camera was changed for ever. Kodak marketed the first readily available digital camera that met all standards, with the Kodak DC40 in 1995.

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author’s name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.



By: Roberto Sedycias

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If you are a first-time buyer of digital camera, you are most likely to making an error while choosing one unless you know the dynamics of a digital camera, how it works, and what its standards features are. As a prudent buyer you must know what to expect from this gadget when you go to a store where you tend to get lost in the myriad of brands and the professional salesman at the store will coax you into buying the one that may not be the best one according to your needs. Hence, settling down with the right digital camera needs time and experience. Whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, it is essential to gather maximum information on digital cameras before deciding to buy one.

With so many sophisticated cameras available in the market, the first and foremost thing one has to remember that all the digital cameras for which you have to pay a bulky amount are not necessarily quality digital cameras. Even they need not be the cheapest ones. More importantly, they need to satisfy your specific needs. Before selecting a digital camera, be sure about what you want from that particular gadget.

Every model of digital camera has got unique features, and professional digital cameras have got some special features as well. However, professional digital cameras are not intended for people who want a digital camera simply to capture some memorable moments. If you are a novice user of digital camera find the one that feels comfortable and satisfies your requirements. Handling a camera you are not familiar with can leave you in distress, though you are paying a lot for it. However, if you are not using a digital camera regularly the functions can be foreign.

Before shopping a digital camera, get to know best possible information about it. While making trade-offs to bring the camera with most up-to-date technology, be sure that you are not baffling with it. Chose a digital camera in which you don`t need to change the settings manually and frequently. Most of the digital cameras have necessary features like picture storage and view finder. Some come with the systems of zoom, flash and self timer. Some cameras are designed with advanced technology of moviemaker or mpeg maker. With this it is possible to produce your own homemade film of a few seconds.

When you are buying a digital camera for your personal use a cheap digital camera with some of the essential technical attributes will meet your needs easily. You can also purchase one that enables you to take multiple pictures. A professional and expert photographer will prefer one with a zoom allowing more manual control. Whereas as a business traveler you should opt for a more compact one.

Hence, if you are planning to buy a digital camera, familiarize yourself on all the relevant aspects of a digital camera and they can affect your picture capturing experiences. Browsing through internet, you can find several articles offering information on digital camera and their prices as well. It will help you not to get confused with hundreds of camera models for display in the shop. You can even ask the sales representative to separate the models featuring your choices.

Get the exact digital camera that will best stand for you and capture your once-in-a-lifetime moments with all ease. Making the right choice for your digital camera is so important. You are not buying it every once in a while. It can be very expensive affair. Hence, apt guidance and useful information are the only way to make the best decision for buying the right digital camera for you. Make sure you feel confident about the basic information before enter the swanky digital camera shop at your downtown area.



By: Roberto Sedycias

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Photography is one of the most popular hobbies of many people around the world. Almost 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 best 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 are opting for a compact digital camera you will 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 easy 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 best digital camera for the beginners. As any other digital camera they are 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 astounding digital camera captures amazing 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!!!



By: Roberto Sedycias

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Create a video blog