Focus on Features When Buying a Digital Camera

Being well informed about the main digital camera features before shopping means you will know which are worth the extra cost. Reading reviews and talking cameras with friends will be helpful, but here are the key points to consider.

The first thing you will notice when looking at digital cameras is the term megapixel is used often. Pixels are the colored dots that make up a digital image. The term megapixel means one million pixels. Most models are between two and five megapixels.

The more megapixels the sharper the image, generally, but the size of enlargement is the important issue. You will be okay with three megapixels for enlargements up to an 8×10, but for larger photos you’ll want more. If you plan to go big, the extra expense for a five megapixel is worth it. But save your money if you will use the photos for emailing friends or to make small enlargements.

The lens, as with any camera, is a prime consideration. Cheaper digital models normally feature fixed lenses, which limits your scope considerably. Zoom lenses, with their greater flexibility to frame and bring images close, are worth the extra expense unless your use will be very basic. A 3x zoom will give you reasonable range for typical shots, but wildlife shots would benefit from a 10x. Be sure that you’re getting an optical rather than a digital zoom, which merely enlarges the pixels and gives poorer image quality.

For even greater flexibility, you would need the interchangeable lenses that come with professional cameras. While you would have the potential for magnificent photos, the jump in price is huge.

Consider how you will use your camera. Some models have the capability to take both video and still pictures. A combination model is more expensive, but you won’t have to purchase a separate video camera.

Size is a key factor. Will you want to carry around the camera if it is large? Or will you make better use of a compact model that fits easily into a pocket? While image quality is typically better in the larger models, the smaller cameras do very well and likely get more use.

Virtually all digital models use a memory card or stick for storing images, but usually you will need more memory than is provided with the camera so budget for buying extra. The amount of memory you need depends on how many pictures you will take. In general, look for memory that will hold between fifty and one hundred pictures. When making a photography purchase, make sure you can get replacement memory easily and inexpensively for your model.

Heavy use of batteries is typical of digital cameras, especially when the LED screen is turned on. Some major manufacturers use a proprietary battery that’s expensive to replace. Most useful is a battery that’s widely available and easy to recharge.

You will be given software with your purchase to download images onto your home computer. This software allows you to store pictures on your computer, email them to family or edit pictures for a variety of projects.

To correct serious problems with images, or for more professional projects, additional software will likely be required. Be sure your computer supports the software that comes with your camera.

About The Author

Gareth Lenzy contributes to the Camera site YO Camera, which offers a free newsletter at http://www.yocamera.com.

Tags: digital cameras, storage, resolution, digital camera accessories, zoom, jpeg, terms, digital video cameras, pixels, lcd

By: Kevin Rockwell

Started in a single-room by three Japanese men in the year 1933 under the name of Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory, Canon has come a long way today. It all began with the phantom prototype camera called the ‘Kwanon’. At that time, Germany was considered to be the leader in camera production. German cameras were extremely expensive. So, Goro Yoshida, along with two others tried to produce a 35mm rangefinder camera at a cheaper price and came up with “Kwanon’.

However, at that time, one of the problems faced by the company was that it did not have a lens of its own. So, it decided to tie up with Nippon Kogaku Kogyo (who was to become the founder of Nikon) and acquire lenses from them. With the use of these lenses, Canon came up with its first commercial camera called the “Hansa Canon” in 1936 which became a hit. However, the company still had to go through hardships due to the War.

After the war, the company officially adopted the name “Canon” as its name. Up till then, the lens was under a different name, the camera had a different name and the company had a different name. So, in order to unify all these three, Canon came into existence on September 15, 1947. Slowly the company started to expand, and many historical cameras were created such as the Serenar 50mm f/1.8 lens in 1951, Canonet in 1961, AF35M (Autoboy) in 1979 and the EOS 650 in 1987.

The first Canon digital camera was the PowerShot 600 in 1996. Then, after making several advances in digital technology, Canon launched the EOS D2000 digital SLR camera in 1998 for professionals. In addition, the XL1 digital video camera was introduced. Due to its superior functionality and reliability, the XL1 became the official digital video camcorder of the NASA.

In order to provide the market with a cost effective camera along with superior functionality and performance, Canon introduced the EOS D60 in 2002 and the EOS 10D in 2003. These two cameras made Canon the market leader in digital technology. Then, the EOS Kiss Digital was introduced in 2003, which became a big success.

Today, Canon has introduced several digital camcorders. Starting with the FV30 and the FV200KIT in 2002, Canon went onto launch the FV M1 and the IXY DV M2 in 2003 in the mid range segment. As the company progresses, Canon continue to strive to provide its consumers with better and better technology at the lowest price possible. They have been known as a choice of the pros for many years in the world of photography but now with a broad line of products Canon is firmly positioned in the consumer market as well.

Kevin Rockwell worked as a network TV cameraman for 20 years shooting news and sports. Now a devoted fan of digital photography and video he works to gather information, tips and news for digital camera users. Oh and he loves to shoot pictures of his kids playing sports using his digital cameras. http://www.great-digital-cameras.com/gdcj.html

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

Tags: zoom, terms, digital zoom, storage, digital camera accessories, compression, jpeg, digital camera batteries, white balance setting, digital cameras

Why Digital Photography?

Digital photography is quickly becoming the preferred way to take pictures. If you are in the market for a new camera, consider the following advantages of digital over traditional film photography.

In the long run, digital is less expensive. All photos are recorder are on memory device within the camera and then downloaded straight to your computer. You skip the need to keep buying rolls of film and paying for developing. You can send unlimited copies of the same picture to friends and relatives without spending a penny extra.

You see your pictures quicker. Most digital cameras allow you to view your photos immediately. There is no waiting and worrying about whether or not that “perfect shot” turned out. You can take a picture of that new baby and immediately download it to your computer to share your good good news with friends and relatives. There’s no need for anxious grandparents to wait days or even weeks for a picture.

Most digital cameras have built in editing features. Cropping and re-centering the picture to make it look its best can be done easily. You no longer have to worry about a stray hand distracting from the main subject of your photo. Sharpening can be done immediately to bring out the details. Within minutes you can have a print-perfect photo.

You avoid the frustration of running out of film and having to find a store that is open in the middle of an important event or on vacation. Depending on the size of your memory card and the setting of file size and quality, which you often control, you can store a couple hundred pictures on one tiny card. That is the equivalent of nine or ten rolls of film.

These are just a few of the advantages of digital photography. It is definitely worth considering as you search for your next new camera.

Digital Camera Terms To Know

It helps when learning to use your new digital camera to also know what some of the more common terms mean. Below you will find many of these common terms defined..
Automatic Mode — A setting that sets the focus, exposure and white-balance automatically.
Burst Mode or Continuous Capture Mode — a series of pictures taken one after another at quickly timed intervals with one press of the shutter button.
Compression — The process of compacting digital data, images and text by deleting selected information.
Digital Zoom — Cropping and magnifying the center part of an image.
JPEG — The predominant format used for image compression in digital cameras
Lag Time — The pause between the time the shutter button is pressed and when the camera actually captures the image

LCD — (Liquid-Crystal Display) is a small screen on a digital camera for viewing images.

Lens — A circular and transparent glass or plastic piece that has the function of collecting light and focusing it on the sensor to capture the image.
Megabyte — (MB) Measures 1024 Kilobytes, and refers to the amount of information in a file, or how much information can be contained on a Memory Card, Hard Drive or Disk.
Pixels — Tiny units of color that make up digital pictures. Pixels also measure digital resolution. One million pixels
adds up to one mega-pixel.
RGB — Refers to Red, Green, Blue colors used on computers to create all other colors.
Resolution — Camera resolution describes the number of pixels used to create the image, which determines the amount of detail a camera can capture. The more pixels a camera has, the more detail it can register and the larger the picture can be printed.
Storage Card — The removable storage device which holds images taken with the camera, comparable to film, but much smaller. Also called a digital camera memory card…
Viewfinder — The optical “window” to look through to compose the scene.
White Balance — White balancing adjusts the camera to compensate for the type of light (daylight, fluorescent, incandescent, etc.,) or lighting conditions in the scene so it will look normal to the human eye.

How long does it take to become completely confused and overwhelmed when shopping for a digital camera? I think the Guinness record is around three and a half minutes, but for most consumers I’d estimate around two or three hours. Digital technology has done some really great things in the realm of photography, but simplifying buying decisions is not one of them. There’s really no need for the confusion, and here are a few good reasons why.

What most digital camera consumers want, is simply to take great pictures with relative ease, and without having to read a 300 page manual. The good news, is that given the quality of cameras available, that’s a very achievable goal. The bad news is, that by the time many would be purchasers have waded through a plethora of techno-bable and marketing hype, they just give up and throw themselves at the mercy of the nearest salesperson. In some cases that works out great. But, you could just end up buying the camera with the best commission for John/Jane Doe Salesperson.

Getting the right digital camera really just boils down to a few simple considerations. Any camera guide (sentient or otherwise) that tells you different should be promptly ignored. First of all pick up the camera with your own two hands and shoot a bunch of pictures. Shopping online for cameras can be great for finding the right price, but it’s not going to tell you how the camera feels in your own mitts. The camera weight should feel right for you, and all controls should be with easy reach of your fingers. Be sure to navigate through the menu options, and see how intuitive they are. There’s no substitute for hands on research.

Image quality is probably THE most import consideration Take a few pictures (preferably before purchasing . . . see above) and see what they look like. Now don’t just look at the pictures on the cameras LCD screen. Print some, and upload some to a computer. LCD screens can be very low resolution, and either hide image flaws, or obscure a truly great picture. You can read volumes about ISO settings, and image noise at those various settings. But really, what matters most, is how does the image look to your own two eyes. It’s that simple.

That’s really the best digital buying camera guide your going to find anywhere. Long before computer digital technology came along, camera buying was a very simple proposition. And it still can be today. Just don’t get too hooked on the marketing and technology speak. People use cameras today for the same reason they did 50 or 60 years ago. They wanted to take great pictures of memorable moments to treasure and admire.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell

If you decide to own a Nokia N96, you are making the right decision! There are so many good points about this mobile phone. In fact, it excels in every aspect possible. If you want navigation prowess, this communication device gives you that. If you are into entertainment, then the N96 will not fail your expectations. It can broadcast live TV and supports a wide range of media formats (video and audio). If storage is what you are concerned about, this phone’s 16 GB which is still upgradeable to 24GB will blow your mind away! If it is convenience you want, then there is nothing more convenient than the N96!

Another remarkable feature of the Nokia N96 is its 5 Megapixel camera. It is also a Carl Zeiss optics camera. For those of you who are wondering, Carl Zeiss is a leading optics company in the world. It is a German company manufacturing medical devices, industrial measurements, and optical systems. It was founded in 1846 in Jena by Otto Schott, Ernst Abbe, and Carl Zeiss. With their system integrated into the 5 Megapixel of the N96, you can be sure to get more than your expectations! Moreover, the camera also has flash as well as video light. For any video that you shoot, you can expect to have DVD- like quality. Video can be captured at 30 fps.

Aside from that, this mobile phone also has an integrated A- GPS. With the help of this feature, any N96 user can do geotagging. This refers to the process of attaching location data to pictures taken. The pictures can then be uploaded to supported media communities online! When it comes to this, there are many choices offered by Nokia’s Ovi family of internet services. You can easily get access to maps, media sharing, music, and a whole lot of other great things with the Nokia N96!

For all the latest mobile phone deals and to compare mobile phone contracts then visit Best mobile Contracts, the leading comparison site for mobile phones in the UK. They will help you find the Nokia N96 deals amongst other mobile phones. If you like the all new Nokia N78 then also visit this site today, you can be sure to find a deal to suit your every need.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Hirst