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-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from ZDNet Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------
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Digital Camera Buyers Guide September 16, 2001 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/coolgear/cameras/soa/Digital-Camera-Buyers-Guide/0,139023377,120107167,00.htm
Introduction There's a breathtaking number of digital cameras available these days, each with a unique set of features, storage type, and image quality. So how do you know which one's for you? Use this guide to help narrow down your selection down to a manageable number of choices.
Learn how to use pixel counts and image resolution to find the right digital camera. When shopping for a digital camera, your most important buying consideration should be image quality. Higher pixel counts usually mean better-looking photographs, but bigger isn't always better. Large, high-resolution images require more time to store in the camera after you snap the shutter, and they take longer to transfer to a PC. Most important, a megapixel difference in maximum resolution can sometimes double the price of a camera. Buying a model that shoots at a higher resolution than you need can be as big a mistake as buying one that's too low. By learning the differences between pixel counts, you can ensure that your digital camera purchase will be a smart one. Submegapixel
Learn the meanings of common digital photography words with this useful guide. Charge-coupled device: The light-sensitive chip that most digital cameras use to capture images. Dynamic range: The range of light over which a camera generates satisfactory output. A model with a wide dynamic range produces good-looking output in both the brightest and darkest areas of an image. Focal length: A measure of the viewing angle of a lens. Wide-angle lenses, which capture broader vistas, have lower focal lengths than telephotos. F-stop: A measure of the aperture opening of a lens. Lower f-stops denote larger apertures, which imply greater light-gathering ability and better performance under dim lighting. LCD: A small color viewscreen that lets you preview subjects, navigate menus, and scroll through stored photographs. Viewfinder: An eyepiece through which you can see an approximate view of the image that will be captured through the lens. White balance: A camera setting that tints an image to compensate for subtle differences in the color of ambient light
Learn which items to look for when getting started with your digital camera. If you are considering or have recently purchased a digital camera, you may have some questions about the various items included in your camera's box. Use this helpful guide to learn what to look for in your digital camera box, and why they are important. Carrying case: This will help to protect your new investment from scuffing. Carrying strap: This adds security when you lean over the edge for that perfect Grand Canyon shot. Memory card: Required for, and may be included with, your digital camera. Besides, you shouldn't have to spend another AU$100 to AU$200 to use your camera. Memory card adaptor: You don't have time to transfer multi-megapixel photos through a serial port. This helps you transfer images to your PC faster. Rechargeable batteries and charger: Battery life is short in digital cameras. In the long run, rechargeable batteries can save you time and money. AC adaptor: This will help you conserve batteries when you're working indoors. USB, video, or serial cables: You can't connect to a PC or television without them. Image-editing software: Because no shot is perfect. Stitching software: This software enables you to create multi-frame panoramas. Three-year warranty: Because anything that costs this much ought to last at least that long. Comprehensive, well-written manual: No matter how easy digital cameras claim to be, they're still not that simple.
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