Thursday, October 21, 2004
Tips to buy a Digital Camera
| How to Buy a Digital Camera |
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- Match megapixels to your use. A 2-megapixel camera is fine for snapshots, though models with that resolution are becoming less common. If you want to produce 8-by-10-inch prints, you'll need at least a 3-megapixel camera. Four- or 5-megapixel cameras will yield even larger prints and allow you to blow up a part of an image with less likelihood that the print will be blurry.
- Look for rechargeable batteries and a charger. The cost of disposable batteries adds up over the long run. Some cameras can use AA batteries of any type--disposable or rechargeable. That capability can be helpful if your rechargeable batteries run out of juice and you don't want to wait while they replenish.
- Get at least 2X optical zoom. Nearly all cameras offer digital zoom, but it results in photos that aren't nearly as good as those produced with an optical zoom.
- Look for a low-light focusing aid. Some cameras have auxiliary lights that help them focus in dim settings. That's important for many indoor shots.
- Make sure you can use removable storage media. While the camera may have on-board memory, a memory card allows you to expand the storage capacity.
- Avoid cameras that use floppy disks or compact discs. Floppy disks are inexpensive, but they won't hold many images, and the cameras that use them typically take relatively low-resolution photos. Cameras that use compact discs are typically bulky and slow.
- Try the camera before you buy. Some cameras have commands and menus that are easier to use than others, a comparison you can only make with a hands-on trial. Also evaluate the lag time between when you press the shutter button and when the camera actually takes the picture. Try out the zoom lens--does it operate quickly and smoothly? Find out how long you must wait between taking pictures. And try the LCD viewfinder--in the sun if possible--to determine how easy it is to read.
- Give extra consideration to a camera with image-editing software. Look for useful packages like Adobe Photoshop Elements and Ulead PhotoImpact.
- Insist on a camera with an LCD display. It allows you to review your photos on the spot--and delete the ones where your cousin kept blinking when the flash went off.
- Don't base your decision on video capability. Any still camera's ability to take moving pictures is extremely limited. If you want to shoot video, invest in a camera dedicated to the job.
- Consider investing in a memory card reader. These readers act like an external hard drive attached to your PC or laptop, allowing you to download pictures directly from the storage media your camera uses. Many newer laptops have one or more memory card slots built right in. That saves time downloading images, and since the camera doesn't have to be on, saves battery life, too.
