Image: Camera tipsImage by: Rediff.com
Text by: Tanya Munshi
Buying a good digital camera can be a confusing task as there are a lot of them out there. Here's a guide on what to keep in mind before investing in one.
1
Megapixel
The thing to look for in a digital camera is a megapixel number, something between six and eight. "The higher the number, the greater the resolution (clearer image detail)," says Lt Col MK Munshi (Retd), a Mumbai based aerial and still photographer.
"Anything above eight megapixels is used mostly by professionals who want to blow up images to massive sizes," says Col Munshi.
However, megapixel isn't everything. The quality of the lens is also very important. Thus, a camera from Nikon/ Olympus could take fantastic pictures even though the mega pixel of CCD (Charged-Couple Device or Colour Capture Device, which is an image sensor and is the screen you see on the back part of your digital camera) is of a lower value.
The thing to look for in a digital camera is a megapixel number, something between six and eight. "The higher the number, the greater the resolution (clearer image detail)," says Lt Col MK Munshi (Retd), a Mumbai based aerial and still photographer.
"Anything above eight megapixels is used mostly by professionals who want to blow up images to massive sizes," says Col Munshi.
However, megapixel isn't everything. The quality of the lens is also very important. Thus, a camera from Nikon/ Olympus could take fantastic pictures even though the mega pixel of CCD (Charged-Couple Device or Colour Capture Device, which is an image sensor and is the screen you see on the back part of your digital camera) is of a lower value.
2
Focal length
The focal length is the distance between the centre of the lens and the film when an in-focus image of a far away object is formed.
Shibu Arakkal, a Bangalore based photographer recommends a wider focal length lens of 28 mm -- 105 mm to the 35mm -- 105mm one.
For example, in a room where space is a limitation, the 28 to 105 mm wide focal length lens would allow you to cover practically the whole room whereas a 35 mm lens would just photograph a portion of the room.
"Since both the lens (tele and wide angle) have a 105 mm zoom capability, they achieve the results of a 105 mm zoom lens. Thus, a 28 mm -- 105 mm lens is more versatile," adds Col Munshi.
The focal length is the distance between the centre of the lens and the film when an in-focus image of a far away object is formed.
Shibu Arakkal, a Bangalore based photographer recommends a wider focal length lens of 28 mm -- 105 mm to the 35mm -- 105mm one.
For example, in a room where space is a limitation, the 28 to 105 mm wide focal length lens would allow you to cover practically the whole room whereas a 35 mm lens would just photograph a portion of the room.
"Since both the lens (tele and wide angle) have a 105 mm zoom capability, they achieve the results of a 105 mm zoom lens. Thus, a 28 mm -- 105 mm lens is more versatile," adds Col Munshi.
3
Points to note:
~ A 28 mm lens has a greater "depth of field" than a 35 mm lens, which means objects closer to the camera as well as those at a distance, remain focused. ~Depth of field is the distance in front of and beyond the subject that appears to be in focus. ~The longer the focal length--35mm, 50mm or 105mm-- the smaller the "depth of field".
~ A 28 mm lens has a greater "depth of field" than a 35 mm lens, which means objects closer to the camera as well as those at a distance, remain focused. ~Depth of field is the distance in front of and beyond the subject that appears to be in focus. ~The longer the focal length--35mm, 50mm or 105mm-- the smaller the "depth of field".
4
Optical zoom
Go for a digital camera with at least 3x optical zoom as this will increase the size of your 'subject' (the object/ person) that you are shooting.
~Avoid higher digital zoom cameras as they only increase the size of the pixels, making your images look stretched. Don't fall for advertisements stressing only on higher digital zoom but not the optical zoom.
Go for a digital camera with at least 3x optical zoom as this will increase the size of your 'subject' (the object/ person) that you are shooting.
~Avoid higher digital zoom cameras as they only increase the size of the pixels, making your images look stretched. Don't fall for advertisements stressing only on higher digital zoom but not the optical zoom.
5
Easy operation
Many people look for different features in a camera for easy handling. "Features to look for include anything that assists in low light shooting conditions, image stabilization, noise reduction and different flash modes," says Shibu.
For example an Olympus Zoom camera has three flash modes-- Red Eye Removal, Fill-in and the plain Flash. Thus, multiple flash options are offered in several digital camera brands.
6Easy operation
Many people look for different features in a camera for easy handling. "Features to look for include anything that assists in low light shooting conditions, image stabilization, noise reduction and different flash modes," says Shibu.
For example an Olympus Zoom camera has three flash modes-- Red Eye Removal, Fill-in and the plain Flash. Thus, multiple flash options are offered in several digital camera brands.
Using videos
Digital cameras have lower resolution than digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras, (possibly to capture more images or more frames in one cassette or media), says Col Munshi.
Some digital SLR cameras do offer a video capability, but then the number of video frames may be limited because of the higher resolution (leading to bigger image size) and the limitations in capacity on the memory/ storage in a digital SLR camera.
7Digital cameras have lower resolution than digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras, (possibly to capture more images or more frames in one cassette or media), says Col Munshi.
Some digital SLR cameras do offer a video capability, but then the number of video frames may be limited because of the higher resolution (leading to bigger image size) and the limitations in capacity on the memory/ storage in a digital SLR camera.
Digital SLR Cameras
~In SLR cameras, the primary lens meant for taking the picture is also used as a 'view finder (display unit in a digital camera) and for picture composition.
~Since the exposure metering (for exposure control) is based on the light coming through the primary lens, the exposure metering is far more accurate than in the case of non - digital SLR camera.
~An exposure meter is used to make selective light readings. This instrument helps you in analyzing the amount of light being reflected from your subject. Some of the latest digital SLR cameras are equipped with an in-built exposure meter.
~Digital SLR cameras offer a set of interchangeable lenses, ranging from wide angle (say 28 mm) to telephoto/ zoom lenses for meeting various photography requirements. These facilities are not available in non-SLR cameras.
~Because of these facilities a digital SLR camera is costlier than other cameras.
8~In SLR cameras, the primary lens meant for taking the picture is also used as a 'view finder (display unit in a digital camera) and for picture composition.
~Since the exposure metering (for exposure control) is based on the light coming through the primary lens, the exposure metering is far more accurate than in the case of non - digital SLR camera.
~An exposure meter is used to make selective light readings. This instrument helps you in analyzing the amount of light being reflected from your subject. Some of the latest digital SLR cameras are equipped with an in-built exposure meter.
~Digital SLR cameras offer a set of interchangeable lenses, ranging from wide angle (say 28 mm) to telephoto/ zoom lenses for meeting various photography requirements. These facilities are not available in non-SLR cameras.
~Because of these facilities a digital SLR camera is costlier than other cameras.
Best buy
There are many top brands in the market today like Nikon, Olympus, Canon and Sony.
Nikon is usually one of the costliest digital cameras, especially the digital SLR variety while cameras from Canon are usually good and have user-friendly features.
From where
~Ideally buy your camera from an authorised dealer and always insist on warranty.
~ Most camera brands have exclusive outlets across the cities in India.
~ Photography exhibitions offer the latest discounts and accessories for your camera, so make use of them.
9There are many top brands in the market today like Nikon, Olympus, Canon and Sony.
Nikon is usually one of the costliest digital cameras, especially the digital SLR variety while cameras from Canon are usually good and have user-friendly features.
From where
~Ideally buy your camera from an authorised dealer and always insist on warranty.
~ Most camera brands have exclusive outlets across the cities in India.
~ Photography exhibitions offer the latest discounts and accessories for your camera, so make use of them.
Checklist
~Read the fine print. Whatever the cost of the digital camera, it should include the basic accessories mentioned with that brand like a camera case, batteries, charging cord, USB cord etc. ~ Buy extra accessories such as memory cards, batteries, tripods from the same camera store if possible. Don't buy non-branded accessories from un-authorised showrooms. You may run the risk of ruining your digital camera and wasting a lot of money.
~ Check for special offers like free rechargeable batteries with charger or a 512MB/ 1GB memory card.
~ Amateurs can make do with an eight megapixel camera.
~ Read reviews from photography magazines and web sites. These will give you insights about brands, price and performance.
~ Ask for a demo. Try out a few digital cameras by taking pictures, zoom in and zoom out, wide or tele lens, to see which camera you are most comfortable handling.
~ Check out different stores before settling for the one you like.
~ Check with the camera store for equated monthly instalments (EMI) options, if any. Electronic showrooms such as Vijay Sales in Mumbai offer EMI options for digital cameras.
~Read the fine print. Whatever the cost of the digital camera, it should include the basic accessories mentioned with that brand like a camera case, batteries, charging cord, USB cord etc. ~ Buy extra accessories such as memory cards, batteries, tripods from the same camera store if possible. Don't buy non-branded accessories from un-authorised showrooms. You may run the risk of ruining your digital camera and wasting a lot of money.
~ Check for special offers like free rechargeable batteries with charger or a 512MB/ 1GB memory card.
~ Amateurs can make do with an eight megapixel camera.
~ Read reviews from photography magazines and web sites. These will give you insights about brands, price and performance.
~ Ask for a demo. Try out a few digital cameras by taking pictures, zoom in and zoom out, wide or tele lens, to see which camera you are most comfortable handling.
~ Check out different stores before settling for the one you like.
~ Check with the camera store for equated monthly instalments (EMI) options, if any. Electronic showrooms such as Vijay Sales in Mumbai offer EMI options for digital cameras.
Published in Rediff.com, on April 5, 2007
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/apr/05slid1.htm
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/apr/05slid1.htm
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