 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group When Purchasing a Digital Camera Jim Topper |
This is a list of items to consider when planning to purchase a Digital
Camera. This is not an all inclusive list. It does contain the features and other considerations I believe
should be high on one's list of considerations before making a purchase.
Image Size
Image size, ie. the number of megapixels, two, three, four or five. The higher the number of
megapixels, the larger the image file will be. This will allow you to print the images at a higher ppi
(pixels per inch) resolution. Generally speaking even a two megapixel digital camera should be able to print
an 8x10 picture with decent detail. Three, four or more megapixel cameras will allow you to print larger
images is you wish, or give you even more detail at smaller picture sizes, ie. 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10.
Zoom
Zoom lens type and magnification, ie. 3x, 4x, 10x... you get the idea. Digital cameras have two types of
zoom, digital zoom and optical (lens) zoom. It is best to buy a digital camera with an optical zoom lens.
Almost all digicams have digital zoom in addition. However a digital zoom degrades the image quality since it
interpolates the image information for the zoom effect. It is best to not use digital zoom unless you cannot
get a picture any other way. For optical zoom, I'd recommend at least a 3x zoom, a higher magnification lens
if you can afford it.
Type of Storage Medium
There are three types of storage medium currently that are widely used in digital cameras. These are: Compact
Flash cards, Smart Media cards, and Memory Stick cards. All types can be had in sizes up to 128 MB, with
Compact Flash cards available at much larger sizes. My picks for storage media would be either Compact Flash
cards or Memory Stick cards which are used in most current Sony digicams.
The Smart Media cards are somewhat thinner and more flexible and are more prone to damage during handling if
one is not careful. Also look for a digital camera that has a USB interface for down- loading pictures to
your computer. Some cheaper or older models still use serial port connections and they are very slow
downloading images compared to USB. Finally most digital cameras ship with rather small memory cards
included. You will want to purchase additional card(s) of at least 64 MB, as your finances allow, for
extended periods of picture taking.
Type of Batteries It Uses
Digital cameras can use several types of batteries for power. Some models use proprietary batteries, which
tend to be expensive. Other digital cameras will use AA size batteries. Be warned, the only type of AA
batteries to use in a digital camera are NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries, which are rechargeable. Other
types such as alkaline batteries will not last in a digicam. Sony in particular uses its own batteries which
are expensive but have a great feature included, circuitry that will tell you how much battery power (time)
remains before it needs to be recharged. In any case, you will want at least two batteries or two sets if
using AA type batteries. Most digicams ship with only one, so you will want to purchase a second one, or
set.
Optical Viewfinder or LCD Only
Some digital cameras have both types, others use only an LCD screen located on the back of the camera body.
For bright sunlight picture taking you will want to consider buying a digicam with both types, since almost
all LCD screens are unusable in direct sunlight. However you can purchase a separate LCD shade which would
help if the camera you get has only an LCD screen.
The Comfort Factor
Size of the camera, how it feels in your hands and the weight. These are two of the more important
considerations. You will want to buy a camera that feels good in your hands and has controls that are easy to
reach and use. Weight is important too since you may be carrying the camera around for several hours at a
time. Most newer digital cameras weigh less than 1 pound and have a neck strap for carrying when not using
the camera. I'd be weary of a camera that only has a wrist strap, since wrist straps make carrying the camera
more difficult over longer periods.
Filters
Some digital cameras have screw threads on the lens body for adding filters. If the digital camera you
purchase has this feature, be sure to buy a "skylight" or "UV" filter for the camera. This will protect the
lens from dirt, finger prints and scratches. It is much easier to clean or replace a lens filter than the
camera's lens!
Flash
Almost all digital cameras have a built-in flash. A nice feature to look for is one that has a "red eye
reduction" feature. A few of the higher end camera also have provisions for adding an external flash on a hot
shoe bracket, or have a jack to plug in an external flash unit. For general picture taking, the internal
flash will be OK. However you should know that almost all internal flash units have a range of +/- 10 feet.
Digital cameras that can add an external flash unit will double or even triple that distance for a high power
flash unit.
About the author:
Jim Topper, jimt@cablespeed.com is the Newsletter Editor for
Another Baltimore Computer Users Group. This article is brought to you by the Editorial Committee of the
Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an International organization of which Melb PC is a
member.
Reprinted from the March 2002 issue of PC Update, the
magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
