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The guide to your perfect digital camera By Elizabeth Butler, Art Director
I guess without even having to say it, digital photography just keeps getting better. However, more and more people are just jumping into the world of ìdigitalî and feeling lost. Higher resolution, more control and better technology make getting great pictures easier than ever- if you know what you are doing. But for those who grew up with film, changing to digital can be very unnerving. So here are some helpful tips from the pros of the digital world.
The big picture of the world of digital is what is called a megapixel. Just like in film, the quality of the photos matters. But, too many people are just buying digital cameras solely on their megapixel count. Now donít get me wrong, megapixels still matter in choosing the camera that is right for you, but that should not be the only reason you buy that camera. the more megapixels you have, the sharper your prints will be. Recall that each pixel from a standard digital cameras has less quality than each pixel from a DSLR. With a standard digital camera, having additional megapixels can work to reduce the amount of splotchiness and noise (grain) in the picture. A camera needs more than just a high megapixel count to take the pictures you want, so pay attention to the other traits as we go along. For example, a lethargic camera that takes too much time between shots, or the delay, may make you miss out on the best action and a camera that is designed more for a workout than for easy in shooting may spend more time in the weight room than in your camera bag. On the other hand, a camera with no manual controls may take fabulous shots in bright sunlight, but lousy ones in every other situation.
OK, so now you know that bit of information. Now what? Just give me a few more minutes before you take-off to buy your new camera. It will be well worth your time and money. Here are some more key features you need to know in buying a digital camera. The resolution is very important because it will determine what size of prints you can make. The more megapixels your camera has, the greater flexibility you have when it comes to printing your photos. The rules of thumb: a 2-megapixel camera can usually produce a pretty 5-by-7, a 3-megapixel makes a nice 8-by-10 and a 4-megapixel makes up to an 11-by-17 with the grainy look. The size, weight and design of your camera are something you should also look at before you buy. Try picking up a couple of different types of cameras and find one that fits you the best. Would you mind carrying around a 2.6 pound camera everywhere you went or would a lighter one fit your needs the best? Are you thinking about having a zoom lens with your camera? Inexpensive cameras often lack optical zoom lenses. Most people would choose a camera with an optical zoom rather than one with higher resolution. The optical zoom would mean that you could take photos from father away and get the subjects you wanted in the photo to begin with.
Be wary of advertised zoom ratingsómany sellers combine the optical zoom with the digital zoom, which merely means they are trying to rip you off. The optical zoom gives you all the benefits of the cameraís maximum resolution, combined with the ability to get closer to the action. When buying a camera, the ìstarterî memory card should not be the only reason you donít buy that camera. Almost all cameras come with a cheap 8MB memory card. So, you want to keep in mind that you will need to buy another one once you get your camera, unless you are willing to transfer your images after every handful of shots. Oh, the joy of the batteries.
Cameras use one or more AA batteries, either nonrechargeable alkaline or rechargeable nickel metal hydride. From my own personal use of batteries, I would have to say go ahead and buy the rechargeable batteries and save yourself from all the headaches of nonrechargeable batteries. Just remember to take spare batteries with you when you are out shooting. The worst thing that could happen to you is missing out on the picture of a lifetime. Believe me: batteries love to die when you need them the most. All digital cameras let you shoot in fully automatic mode, but the better digital cameras also offer aperture and shutter modes, where you are able to adjust the size of the lens opening or how long the shutter stays open. This is great when you are somewhere that is dark, because your camera will need the shutter to be open longer to compensate for the lack of light. When evaluating which camera to buy, consider how easily you can reach common settings like the resolution, macro mode, the flash and the exposure adjustments. Too many buttons can waste your time and too few buttons will not have all the settings you need to get the photos you are looking for. Another big thing to look for that most people donít think about is a LCD screen, which is a must for reviewing the images you have just taken.
From small point-and-shoots to fully loaded digital single lens reflex (SLR), there are cameras to fit every budget and every need. With the careful research listed above, you now should be able to pick the digital camera thatís right for you. Remember to just buy what you need and not what looks ìcoolî in some magazine. Buy the camera with a resolution that youíll actually use, a quality lens (if you need one), and a camera that is easy for you to use. Then you will be all ready to get out and get the photos you long for. |
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Brave News World is a general-interest magazine produced online by students in the course Online Journalism JRN 410 led by Professor Anthony Curtis, Department of Mass Communications, University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The cover, sections and pages were designed by students in the course and article topics were chosen and reported by the individual students who wrote them. We are eternally grateful to those agencies and institutions that have graciously provided images for this edition. Views expressed by individual writers in this magazine are not endorsed by the professor, the department, the university, or possibly anyone else. Your comments are welcomed by the professor who may be contacted at (910) 521-6616. Or you may e-mail the professor at acurtis@uncp.edu. |