Digital Cameras
Digital cameras, which employ reusable memory cards instead of film, give you far more creative control than film cameras
can. With a digital camera, you can transfer shots to your computer, then crop, adjust color and contrast, and add textures
and other special effects. Final results can be made into cards or T-shirts, or sent via e-mail, all using the software that
usually comes with the camera. You can make prints on a color inkjet printer, drop off the memory card at one of a growing
number of photofinishers, or upload the file to a photo-sharing Web site for storage, viewing, or reprinting.
Digital cameras share many features with digital camcorders, such as an electronic image sensor, LCD viewer, and a zoom
lens. They also share many features with film cameras, such as focus, exposure, and flash options. Some camcorders can
be used to take still pictures, but a typical camcorder's resolution is no match for a good still camera's.
How to choose
A digital camera for the consumer market can cost from just under $200 to more than $1,000. Consider these points, which
can help you find the best combination of design and features:
Select the right size and style. For a camera that fits in your pocket, look for a compact model. Most compacts are 3 or 4
megapixels. The smallest can be almost the size of a credit card and less than an inch thick, but may feel awkward to hold.
A medium-sized model is easier to handle. It's shaped like a traditional point-and-shoot, and it is available with 3 to 5
megapixels. For a camera that feels and operates more like a single-lens reflex film camera, go for a large model. Most are
5, 6, or 8 megapixels.
Decide how many megapixels you need. Narrow the field by focusing on the right combination of price and resolution--the
maximum number of megapixels a camera can capture in one shot. If you're a casual photographer who prints mainly
4x6-inch snapshots, look for a 2- or 3-megapixel camera. Most cost less than $350 and are relatively compact. If you
occasionally make larger prints, get a 4- or 5-megapixel model for $300 to $400. For more serious photography including
cropping photos and making 8x10 prints and larger, consider a 5-megapixel camera. They range in price from $300 to $900.
The highest priced are often the most feature laden and bulky. Decide how much photographic control you want. Most digital
cameras have several settings designed to give you more control over the photos than the plain point-and-shoot mode
allows.
Beginners and digital veterans are likely to find very useful the controls for specific picture-taking tasks, such as action
photos, close-ups, landscapes, and night shots.
Numerous 4- to 8-megapixel models have manual controls similar to those on film cameras. They allow you to control lens
aperture, shutter speed, options for light-metering, and exposure compensation for tricky lighting. Many models also have a
wide range of ISO (light sensitivity) settings.
Consider the optical-zoom range. Most digital cameras have at least an optical 3X zoom. A zoom lens makes it easier to
compose your shots and is especially useful for portraits.
Some cameras--most of them pricey models--have a 4X, 5X, or even 10X optical zoom.New models come with image
stabilizers. Choose the zoom that fits your shooting style. Longer zoom lenses present drawbacks, such as darker images
and more difficulty shooting in low light. Don't confuse a camera's digital zoom with optical zoom. Digital zoom is a feature
that's of very little use.
Weigh battery type and life. All digital cameras can run on rechargeable batteries of one of two types: an expensive battery
pack or a set of AA batteries. In our tests of the cameras, neither battery type had a clear performance advantage. We think
a camera that accepts the ubiquitous AA battery is more convenient.
Consider camera speed. Be prepared to wait after each shot as the camera processes the photo. While most cameras
allow you to shoot an image every few seconds, a few models make you wait 7 seconds or more. Such slowpokes may
frustrate you when you're taking photos in sequence. Camera manufacturers have claimed that some new cameras just
coming to market operate more quickly.
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