Even
after you've decided on a category of camera, a price range, and your
rock-
bottom feature requirements, a lot of variables still exist. This
is probably the
hardest part of the decision: you have to choose among a large number
of options
that you'd like, but that aren't really deal breakers. How do you
weigh a little more
lens sharpness against a camera that feels right in your hands? Better
customer
service against slightly quicker editing functions?
Perhaps
the best route is to make a laundry list of these discretionary
items and try
to keep track of the advantages and disadvantages of each model
you investigate.
You won't end up with a truly objective measure of the value of
one camera over
another, but such a list helps keep track of the evaluation process.
Some of the
following may be things you can't do without, and others probably
aren't.
On-camera
flash
Most cameras have an on-camera flash unit, but beyond that,
there are many different features to choose among.
Can
you control the flash power? You may want to do this to fill in
shadows, etc. This feature is more likely to be found on higher-priced
models.
Does
the camera offer a red-eye reduction feature? Red-eye is a condition
you may have seen when the direct flash reflects off the cornea
of your subject's eyes. Many offer some version of this feature,
which may or may not be something you need.
Does
the camera support external and/or studio flash equipment? I don't
understand why hot shoes and flash synchronization jacks are not
more common
on digital cameras; in any case, the ability to use an external
flash may be critical
to your needs if you are trying to get away from that flat, unnatural-looking
front lighting that most flashes give.
Color
balance
Most cameras adjust the color balance automatically. Some times
light fools the cameras color balance and you find things not looking
at all how you saw them. To fix this some cameras allow you to control
a thing called "white-balance", which is simply a setting
that allows you to adjust your own color-balance as desired.
Metering
How sophisticated is the metering system the camera employs?
Low-end cameras usually rely on center-weighted metering, which
means it takes a light reading on whatever is in the center of your
picture. Under some lighting conditions this results in an under-exposed
or over-exposed picture. Another measurement pattern may be better
suited to your needs. Some higher-end cameras have an exposure lock
feature which allows you to meter light off of a particular area
then lock that exposure in. This way if you point the camera to
a brighter area, ie: a sandy beach, it won't adjust the exposure;
some even allow you to use an external meter and manually set the
exposure for complete control.
Shutter
speed and aperture
If you need more direct control of the image, you want a camera
that allows you to vary both the shutter speed and the aperture.
Otherwise, the camera's tiny (and not very artistic) brain decides
how to handle depth-of-field and moving subjects.
Focus
Similarly, you may want a camera that permits you to focus on the
subject of your choice. Some let you lock the autofocus onto a particular
subject in the frame. Only the most expensive have true manual focus.
Compression
Many, but not all, cameras let you set the compression used to store
the image. You may have occasion to trade off image quality against
the number of images stored on the disk.
Stop-action
Some cameras offer the option of taking 12 or 16 stop-action photos
in a few seconds. The catch is that all the images share the resolution
of one standard image. Stop-action images are not much good for
reproduction, since each individual image is very small and has
limited resolution.
Storage
A number of different systems exist for storing images. Each has
its advantages and its drawbacks. You should take this into account
when you choose a camera.
Viewfinder
and LCD screen
Most cameras have a viewfinder with its own little optical system
rather than through-the-lens viewing. Some also have an LCD screen
(some larger than others) that previews and review's images, and
displays other information as well. This may well be something you
will want.
Camera
RAM
How fast can you view, select, and delete images from disk?
The camera's RAM and the type of storage medium it uses affect your
ability to
edit images in the camera.
Zoom
Many cameras offer zoom lenses of various descriptions; they are
a nice
feature and not too expensive. Do not confuse digital zoom (simply
a
reduction in the area of the sensor and therefore of image resolution)
with optical
zoom, which is performed by the lens. Some cameras have interchangeable
lenses and may even be compatible with equipment you already own.
Consider
also if the lens offers a macro setting to allow taking extreme
close-ups.
Style
Digital cameras come in an inordinate variety of forms, some familiar,
some more like cigarette packs or old Polaroid cameras. Some of
these will be
more comfortable for you than others.
|
-Choosing
a Digital Camera