Community Newsletter: Q&A: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice!
- 11/19/07 6:16 AM
Digital Cameras and Us Old Fogies
by edbrady - 10/26/07 6:03 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I don't know much about the cameras, either. But I was given a used one that I've had good luck with.
It's on old HP PhotoSmart 315.
As far as megapixels (?) are concerned, this thing says it has 2.1, which would make all the kids today probably fall over laughing at how far out of date it is.
It has an 8 mb card in it--more amusement for the kiddies. But, this little thing will hold 80 photos.
Today they have cards that hold 1 and 2 gigs. I have no need for something that large, and they probably wouldn't work in this camera anyway.
I transfer the photos to my computer, print them, email them, etc., and don't see any probelms with them. They aren't fuzzy, nor anything like that.
Bottom line, I suppose, would be to get the best you can afford, and don't worry about it if it isn't the latest whiz-bang.
Check for 'Shutter Lag' by trying a camera before you buy
by rejacob - 10/26/07 6:03 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Walter -
One thing to be concerned about is something called 'shutter lag'...how much time goes by after you press the shutter before the camera actually takes the picture.
The film cameras you are familiar with capture the picture the instant you press the shutter. It is not so with many digital cameras.
If all you take are still life pictures then shutter lag may not matter. But if you want to capture that look on your grandsons face you need to get it before it flits away. If the shutter lag on your digital camera is too long that look may be gone by the time the shutter actually opens.
Check the camera specs...if they do not mention shutter lag then it's a good bet that the shutter lag is long. Better still is to go to a retail store...try out the camera that you think you might want...find out how long that interval is.
There are many other factors to consider but shutter lag is one that many people forget to consider.
Megapixels Aren't Overrated
by jskrenes - 10/26/07 6:06 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Walter,
You've got great timing on deciding when to get into the digital camera arena. With prices so low, in all likelihood you will get an affordable camera that will meet your needs. Based on what you said in your question, I would recommend a more basic "point-and-shoot" camera (meaning not too expensive, just turn it on and go). So here's what you need to know:
Let's start with megapixels. They aren't overrated, but they sort of are. A pixel is a small unit that makes up the picture. Think of a newspaper picture. It's made up of little dots of different colors; a pixel is just a digital version of one of those dots. A megapixel is one million pixels. So a 4 megapixel camera can take a picture that is composed of 4 million pixels or dots. So the more megapixels the better, right? Not exactly. A 4x6 print can hold approximately 3.2 megapixels. Since most basic cameras have 4-6 MP, most new cameras ought to take decent pictures. You will need more than 4-6 megapixels if you want to do one or more of the following: crop and zoom (use your computer or a digital developing station to select a portion of the picture and resize that portion to fit a 4x6 print), make prints larger than 4x6, or project your images on a large screen like a video projector. If you don't need to do those things and the salesman tries to upsell you to the 10 MP model that has the same features as the 5 MP, don't bite.
Zoom is also important, and you need to know the difference between digital and optical. Optical zoom is true zoom, like you would find on a traditional 35mm camera. Digital zoom just stretches your pixels. It's like putting a magnifying glass to the newspaper. Eventually digital zoom will stop looking like a picture and start looking like a bunch of dots. 3x optical zoom is pretty much standard, anything more is gravy. Don't even bother with digital zoom. You can do the same thing later on your computer.
There are some other things that make a good picture. A good quality lens helps capture the picture. Fast "shutter speed" will also help reduce blurriness. But the number one extra you should concern yourself with is image stabilization. This makes the camera a little more forgiving if you accidentally shake it while taking a picture, especially when zoomed in. Some cameras are even able to automatically focus on faces in a picture.
So what else do you need to get started? You'll definitely want rechargeable batteries. Some cameras come with their own specialized batteries. They usually last a bit longer but if you lose the battery you're stuck having to shell out $50 or so for a new one, plus if you run out of juice and don't have a spare, you're done taking pictures for a few hours to recharge. Some cameras take AA batteries, and for these I recommend getting Nickel Metal-Hydride (NiMH) rechargeables. If you run dry, you can always use a spare set or even use some standard alkaline in a pinch (though they won't last as long). You'll also want a memory card. The camera will come with enough onboard memory to hold 5-50 pictures. A 512 MB or 1 GB card will expand that memory to the hundreds or thousands of pictures. You can put pictures on the card and take it to a photo station to develop your pictures.
If I were you, I would stick with the name brands like Sony, Kodak, Samsung, or maybe Fuji. One other option is to buy a kit that has a camera, docking station, and 4x6 printer all in one. It's not economical to print large numbers of pictures from the printing station, but it sure is easy, and the pictures look just as good as any others. Lastly, go to a store with a good salesman that will heop you and a generous return/exchange policy. So happy shopping!
Looking for a Digital Camera
by JCipo - 11/10/07 7:47 PM In reply to: Megapixels Aren't Overrated by jskrenesI have spent the last month testing one of the best pro DSLR cameras against criteria that I have used for a number of point and shoot digitals over the years. The Fuji Finepix 6000 is the best camera for the price...$350. It has everything a person needs to shoot pictures that can be printed in 80x60 inch format. It is the heaviest of the point and shoot units but is still light compared to most DSLR cameras. With the Fuji and its unbelievable telephoto lens (18-200mm) coupled with face recognition and antishake I can barely tell the difference in picture quality between it and cameras costing 4 times as much.
Most places won't sell this camera because it gives the salesman little profit and competes too well against Canon, Nikon, and other DSLR cameras.
John Cip
re: buying a digital camera
by jkatz122 - 11/11/07 6:39 AM In reply to: Megapixels Aren't Overrated by jskrenesmegapizels are overrated .. anyhow to the gentleman who wanted to purchase his first digital camera.. there are 2 types you can buy a pocket ala point and shoot type that isnt nearly as reliable and slr (single lens reflex)point and shoot (p&s) are usually slower and the metering is not as reliable as slr however they are convenient and usually small the lens is integrated and cannot be removed
slr are larger even the smaller slr cannot be put in a pocket
but are far more reliable have much better metering and auto focus
and most importantly since te actual chip (ccd) is larger have richer colors and record more data than the smaller cameras this is the diference between te 2 types in a nutshel
i myself use a 6 megapixel slr to shoot events and engagements and weddings .. remember its not the megapixels that make the picture nice its the user
One exception
by Jim F - 11/11/07 7:30 AM In reply to: Megapixels Aren't Overrated by jskrenesI find this a good response to Walter. However, the one shortcoming I see is the failure to mention Canon when suggesting manufacturers. Canon is one of the highest, if not highest rated average consumer use camera.
I agree
by hotshot982 - 11/12/07 12:50 PM In reply to: One exception by Jim FNikon is also a brand I greatly trust. I actually prefer manufacturers that have been in the photography business for most of the past century (Pentax, Nikon, Canon, Fuji) to electronics manufacturers who decided to branch into cameras (Epson, Sony, Samsung, etc.)
Digital Camera choices
by rsevern - 11/12/07 5:10 PM In reply to: I agree by hotshot982I'd look at Canon and Olympus point-and-shoot cameras. If you want more, I recommend the Nikon D40. It now costs around $450 and makes truly great photos. A valuable addition, for under $200 is the 200mm zoom telephone lens. With the D40 and these 2 lenses (and maybe later an add-on external flash) you will have a near-pro set-up.
Canon is greatly overrated
by stevemet - 11/19/07 7:54 AM In reply to: Megapixels Aren't Overrated by jskrenesI am also a grandfather. I bought a canon A710. I have a Ph.D. in engineering and handled it with kid gloves. It failed in 6 months and canon won't fix it or replace it or refund my money, it must have been my fault!!!
about comments on jskrenes
by sanjibrbasu - 11/21/07 7:46 AM In reply to: Megapixels Aren't Overrated by jskrenesMany many thanx to provide detailed informataion on digital camera...it is very useful for me.
sanjib basu
Kolkata, India
Walter: you can do it-- and you'll be glad you did.
by TLE_MN - 10/26/07 6:10 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The variety of features available for today's digital cameras can be overwhelming. But your description of your expertise (minimal) and your desire for a practical, useful camera above all gives me good clues as to what to recommend. I really have only 3 points to raise:
1. Choose features that make a camera simple to understand and operate. "Simple" mode-- where you just set it and shoot away is an example. Easy to understand buttons that let you override the general settings occasionally-- force flash on or off, for example-- are important.
2. It sounds like this would be your general purpose, all around camera, for both indoor and outdoor photos, so look for use of rechargeable AA batteries (vs. a proprietary battery), so you can always get some regular AA's anywhere in the world when the power runs out. Look for a high zoom factor, since this camera will be used for landscapes and distant outdoor shots of all kinds. Look for water resistance. Since you say you are older, look for one with a large viewfinder screen, vs. looking through a little viewfinder opening.
3. With those general points in mind, go to a store and handle them. Get a size that fits your hand well, that you are comfortable with, that you can actually operate the buttons easily.
Get a good fit!
by starrpoint - 11/9/07 5:55 PM In reply to: Walter: you can do it-- and you'll be glad you did. by TLE_MNVery important to get a really good fit. Some cameras are really small, but so are their buttons and screens, and this makes them hard to use. Also, the LCD viewing screens look nifty in the store but can be hard to use in full sun.
And really think about how you will upload these to your computer. If you are using XP or mac, you should not have any trouble, but some cameras have trouble with vista and the new mac system. Most of these problems have been solved, but there is a good chance that the software with the camera has not been upgraded, and you will need to go to the manufacturers website and upgrade it your self before it is functional if you have a new operating system. (had this with my new canon SLR)
So play with it a bit in the store, Take out the memory card (also price a replacement) take out the batteries, (also price) see if you need a cable or dock. If you are new, docks are really nice! and play with the buttons, settings and dials. Make sure they are easy for you to use, not the clerk!
Digital cameras???
by Betty Becker - 10/26/07 6:53 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
From one old geezer to another... check out www.dpreview.com (Digital Photography Review) This site has everything you need to know to compare, test, preview most every digital camera out there. There is a terrific Learn/Glossary section that will help you to understand the terminology for digital format and relate that information to corresponding "film" cameras. By the time I bought my first camera I felt like an expert after exploring this web site.
Good luck. Once you catch on to digital you'll never go back.
Digital cameras???
by Capn Dave - 11/10/07 5:40 AM In reply to: Digital cameras??? by Betty BeckerBetty, yours is the best reply so far. Everyone has different ideas, wants and needs when it comes to photography. A person wanting to get into digital photography should do their research and decide what they need to fulfill their requirements.
Wally, read through all these responses and go www.dpreview.com You will learn a lot from that site. Then decide for yourself. If you rely on others to tell you what camera to purchase, you may not get one that will meet your needs.
Happy Photographing!
Digital Camera
by Ogee101 - 10/26/07 6:53 PM In reply to: I'm ready to purchase my first digital camera. Need advice! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Walter--I also wanted a good digital with all whistles and bells at a good price. After VERY MUCH research, I got down to five, then three, then ONE. That ONE is the new Fujifilm Finepix F50-SE(fd). This camera has dual stabilization (mechanical and electronic) to stop any blur. It has a new face detection program. It is a 12 mega-pixel which is more than you need but you can change the mega-pixels to obtain an unbelievable sensitivity. The functions of this camera go on and on. Almost TOO MUCH, however, I am 68 years young and am using this camera as a "study" to keep my mind active. The pictures are FANTASTIC. The camera removes any "red eye" for you. The portrait mode makes the subject have a model's finish. The price is listed at $299.00 but you can find it on sale for $269.00. It comes with a good battery and a compact charger. I picked up a 4 GB card for $45.00. The controls are great. Has power button rather than a twist switch. Check this one out. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy and I would not steer you wrong. I give this camera 5 stars and A-Plus.
-----Ogee101
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
