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November 2007 | Margaret Brown
Chapter 01
What Kind of Camera Do You Want?
What are the most critical differences between compact digicams, advanced digicams and digital SLR cameras?
The camera market is divided into four segments: compact digicams of various styles, digital SLR cameras, camcorders and camera-phones. All have specific benefits - things they do particularly well - and areas they handle less effectively. To help you choose the best type of camera for your needs, we've listed the strengths and weaknesses of each camera type below.
Slimline Digicam
Resolution Range: 4-12 megapixels
Strengths: Pocketable and light to carry. Straightforward to operate. Can capture both still pictures and video clips. Automated functions make it easy to shoot good pictures.
Weaknesses: Small image sensor delivers noisy pictures in low light. Few models have viewfinders. Small controls and cramped layout with few user-adjustable settings. Video recording limited by available memory.
Slimline Digicam
Slimline Digicam
Resolution Range: 4-12 megapixels
Strengths: Many styles to choose from. Straightforward to operate. Can capture both still pictures and video clips. Automated functions make it easy to shoot good pictures.
Weaknesses: Small image sensor delivers noisy pictures in low light. Some models provide few user-adjustable settings. Video recording limited by available memory.
Slimline Digicam (waterproof model)
Advanced and Long Zoom Digicams
Resolution Range: 8-12 megapixels
Strengths: Full range of shooting controls. Optical or electronic viewfinder. Can capture both still pictures and video clips. Relatively compact body. Extended zoom range.
Weaknesses: Small image sensor delivers noisy pictures in low light. Non-interchangeable lenses (extension lenses are bulky and expensive). Not pocketable.
Advanced Digicam
Long Zoom Digicam
Digital SLR
Types: Entry-level | Enthusiast | Semi-professional | Professional
Resolution Range: 6-17 megapixels
Strengths: Best possible picture quality for still images. Highest versatility (many adjustable settings plus interchangeable lenses).
Weaknesses: Cannot record video. Most models require use of viewfinder for framing shots. Larger, heavier camera bodies. More expensive to buy (especially when additional lenses are included).
Camcorder
Types: Standard/High Definition Media types: MiniDV, DVD, HDD, memory card
Stills Resolution Range: 2-6.1 megapixels
Strengths: Best possible video quality. May also record high-resolution still pictures. Long video recording capabilities. Straightforward to use, thanks to high levels of automation.
Weaknesses: Still picture quality not as good as digicams. Fewer adjustable controls for still pictures. Bulkier than most digicams.
 
MiniDV camcorder DVD camcorder
 
High Definition HDD camcorder Hybrid HDD/SD camcorder
Camera-phone
Types: With/without flash, video/music recording/playback, Internet, radio, games, Bluetooth/IrDA, organiser
Resolution Range: VGA to 3.2 megapixels
Strengths: Ultra-compact. Light weight, take-everywhere convenience. Some models can also record video (at low resolution). Supports easy picture sharing. More than just a camera.
Weaknesses: Very small sensors and lenses deliver low picture quality, especially in dim lighting. Few adjustable controls; small buttons. May lack optical zoom, flash, expandable memory.
Sophisticated camera-phone with 3.2 megapixels
Multimedia camera-phone
BUYING GUIDE
For most people, deciding which of the above categories will suit them best involves making compromises. If your top priority is compact size and light weight, the obvious choice is between a slimline digicam and a camera-phone.
Neither type of camera will deliver top-quality pictures in dim lighting, especially at ISO settings of 400 and above. However, as long as your shots aren't printed beyond A4 size, the digicam should deliver acceptable prints. It will also allow you to shoot 'TV quality' video clips with sound. Most camera-phones with 2-3 megapixel imagers can produce satisfactory snapshot prints. A few can record video at reasonable quality for viewing on small screens.
If you're looking for high functionality, the choice is between an advanced digicam and a digital SLR (DSLR). The former can record video clips, while the latter cannot. For serious photographers, DSLR cameras represent the best choice in terms of picture quality and versatility. Because their image sensors are much larger, they produce visibly better pictures (see next chapter on Megapixels) than digicams.
Photographers who enjoy shooting video will be best served by a dedicated camcorder, although some digicams can produce very good video quality and an increasing number can record video for display on widescreen high-definition TV sets. Some camcorders can also record high quality still pictures. However, the range of adjustments they offer is usually less than a digicam or DSLR.
Once you've decided the type of camera you want and settled on the feature and function sets you require, follow the steps outlined below for successful purchasing:
1. Determine your level of involvement. Is photography a fully-fledged hobby, a family focused pastime or are you an occasional snapshooter?
2. Set a budget. Decide the upper limit to the amount you're prepared to spend - including in it the accessories you know you'll require to be able to enjoy using your camera. (See Essential Accessories below)
3. Decide how your pictures will be shared. Are your pictures destined for enlargement and framing, for storing in photo albums or for sharing online?
4. Decide how much zoom you need. Does most of your picture-taking involve photographing sports or active children and/or pets or do you enjoy taking portraits?
5. Decide how close you would like to shoot. Do you like taking pictures of flowers, insects, jewellery or other small objects? The smaller the objects you wish to photograph, the closer your camera's lens must focus. Many digicams can focus down to 1 cm (sometimes only in Super Macro mode).
6. Determine your power preferences. Some cameras use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, others can use AA or AAA cells - and a few can use both. AA batteries make cameras heavier and bulkier but are easy to replace (with rechargeables, if you prefer). Camera-specific batteries are easily recharged but harder to replace if lost.
7. Consider memory card options. CompactFlash and Secure Digital cards are usually cheaper than other types and more readily available. We recommend buying at least 1GB of memory capacity when you purchase a camera.
8. Consider product life cycles. How long has the camera been on the market? You can often find bargains when cameras are about to be superseded by a new model with only minor cosmetic changes.
Use the answers to these questions when researching the market place and in your discussions with staff in camera shops to help you home in on cameras that are most likely to meet your needs. This can save time and hassles when you are shopping.
Research the Market
The camera market continues to evolve rapidly with new models offering ever-increasing feature sets to attract camera buyers. Most people buying a digital camera today are upgrading to a model that is better in one or more ways than their existing camera. Smart buyers find out as much as they can about what's available before stepping into a store. One resource is the Photo Review News Section, which posts announcements about new models appearing on the market. Reading Photo Review magazine and Pocket Guides can help you to 'talk the talk' when you go to the shops to make your selection.
Don't be seduced into shopping around for the lowest available price. You may be sold a model that is about to be superseded without getting a discount. You may also be talked into buying a camera that doesn't suit your requirements.
A good reseller should be able to provide you with well-thought-out advice, based on knowledge and experience. He/she should also be prepared to spend time demonstrating several models and giving you hands-on experience with suitable cameras so you can decide which one feels most comfortable in your hands. This is important because if a camera isn't comfortable to use, it will spend most of its life in storage!
Some camera stores offer customers post-purchase courses in using your camera effectively. These are generally worthwhile as they can show you new features and give you tips that will help you to take better pictures. You can save many dollars in processing and printing costs over the life of the camera by being a more effective photographer from day one.
Essential Accessories
Purchase a high-capacity memory card (at least 1GB) with your new camera. Expect to pay less than $40 for it. Standard-speed cards are fine if you don't use a professional or semi-professional camera and don't shoot bursts of sporting action.
Spare batteries are also worthwhile purchasing when you buy the camera. If your camera uses AA or AAA batteries, a set of rechargeables plus a charger (an investment of well under $100) will save you money in the long term. For cameras with a dedicated lithium-ion battery system, an additional battery pack is vital. |
A sturdy carry bag is also useful, if your camera isn't supplied with one, along with a tripod and/or add-flash on if you take a lot of shots at night. Note: only cameras with hot shoes can accept accessory flash units and they must be compatible with the camera.
Try Before You Buy
It's impossible to tell whether a camera will suit you by only reading a review or checking the specifications online. Even a product shot posted on the web can't show you whether the camera will sit comfortably in your hands.
Many slimline and compact digicams have very small control buttons that are close together. These can be difficult to use if your hands are large or you lack dexterity. Check the camera's grip to ensure it is comfortable and secure.
Buy Locally
Even if you plan to travel, it's best to buy your camera in Australia before you leave. Regular price checks have shown that the dollars you might save on an overseas 'bargain' often need to be spent to make the equipment usable when you get home. Some hidden add-on costs are outlined below:
1. Cameras sold in Australia normally come with all the components needed for use here, including power cables and adapters. If you buy overseas, there's a good chance some of these components will be different and incompatible with local standards or not rated for use in Australia. Adapters and/or new cables will be required before you can use your camera at home.
2. Instruction manuals may be written in a language you don't understand and it can cost you a lot in Internet time to download one in English - and even more in ink and paper if you want a printed version.
3. Don't ignore the warranty. While it may look like the real deal, if you're offered a camera that doesn't have a warranty card that covers Australia, it could be a fake, a stolen camera, an unauthorised import or resale camera that won't be covered by the manufacturer. Make sure your camera has a warranty that covers Australia before you hand over your money. Some local distributors are reluctant to provide warranty support for cameras that have been purchased overseas - and you can't really blame them for this. After-sale support is costly and the cost is built into all suppliers' profit margins. For cameras bought overseas, the distributor in the country where you've purchased the equipment benefits - not the local distributor.
4. If the camera fails to meet your expectations, you will carry the cost of returning it to the overseas re-seller. The cost of postage and insurance will usually exceed the small difference between the local and off-shore purchase price.
Dust Minimisation in DSLR Cameras
This technology is only found in interchangeable-lens DSLR cameras, where it is a virtual necessity. When photographers change lenses, dust can enter the camera and lodge on the filter or protective glass that covers the sensor. These dust spots can show up as dark blotches in subsequent shots.
Dust can show up as dark spots on digital images. Removing these blemishes in editing software is tedious and time consuming.
Olympus was the first camera manufacturer to install dust-reduction technology in its DSLR cameras, with a special Supersonic Wave Filter (SSWF) system that vibrates the filter in front of the sensor to dislodge dust. The dust collects in a tray below the sensor, which is cleaned when the camera is serviced. Other manufacturers have followed with similar systems - but they may only be included in one or two models.
Some manufacturers combine the vibrating filter with anti-static materials in the camera's mirror box, while Canon adds a Dust Delete detection/removal system via software. Only Canon's system deals effectively with dust that becomes 'welded on' when a camera with dust on its sensor is moved between low and high humidity.
Dust can show up as dark spots on digital images. Removing these blemishes in editing software is tedious and time-consuming.
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