When you bought your digital television camera a couple of years ago , it was a marvel of engineering . Then the next generation came out . And the next . Now your radical camera feel more like an old geezer . But with so many choices on the shelves , how do you select the right replacement ?
You might be tempted to base your buying decision on look alone . Boy , would that be a error ! Beneath those sleek outside are features and capableness that will make the departure between having a camera that you love and having one that roll up dust on a ledge .
The trick to finding your everlasting match is knowing which features are most authoritative to you before you ill-use understructure in the store . I ’ll show you what to await for when equate cameras , and I ’ll explicate which features are in truth indispensable — and which are just hype .
Which Type of Camera Do You Need?
The first whole tone in narrowing the line of business of camera contenders is to decide which type of camera best suit you . Most digital cameras tender a tradeoff between size and tractability . By deciding early on what your antecedency are , you may quickly eliminate a big number of the models on the market . I typically divide digital cameras into three categories :
Compact Cameras
If you need a adept camera while on - the - go , I commend looking at compact models . These lightweight photographic camera agree nicely into a pocket or a pocketbook — so they ’re likelier to be on hand for unexpected photo opportunity . They ’re also comparatively easy on the billfold ; damage stray from $ 150 to $ 500 .
A compact camera typically has a resolve of 2 to 5 megapixels — enough for on-line photograph picture gallery and most received print sizes . However , they do n’t ordinarily offer the array of features and controls that big models do . For illustration , you ’re often limited to using program photo modes , so you may have difficulty with catchy lighting or in situation with set of action . Most compact cameras also have relatively limit zoom lens system — typically in the region of 3x .
Advanced Amateur Cameras
Compact camera are great for point - and - shoot photographers who require to immortalize living ’s surprisal . But they do n’t bid a lot of flexibleness . If you ’d like more control condition over your photos , or if you want to search some of the originative possibilities of digital photography , then advanced amateur camera might be the ticket . Although one of these cameras probably wo n’t fit in your shirt pouch , it wo n’t put too much of a strain on your shoulder , either . And these camera often include an telling raiment of lineament that rival those of professional model , such as red-hot - shoes for international flash , manual aperture and shutter - speed controls , and fast response times . Some even offer up a 10x optic zoom . All of this can make a vast dispute in photographing special events ( such as weddings and birthdays ) , wildlife , and variation . Even if you ’re not ready to apply all of these ripe feature right now , they may come in handy as your science improve — which means that you wo n’t quickly outgrow your television camera .
One downside to advanced amateur camera ( and thick cameras ) is that they do n’t provide interchangeable lenses , so your optic options are somewhat circumscribed . Although you may be able to impart a few accessory lenses over the camera ’s existing optics , these attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - ons ca n’t really compete with the range of lenses available for professional cameras — for representative , telephotograph or fish - eye lense .
Advanced amateur cameras typically extend result of between 3 and 8 megapixels — good deal for most printing process endeavors . Prices range from $ 400 to $ 900 .
Professional Cameras
For the greatest flexibleness and originative control , most professional lensman rely on single - lense reflex ( SLR ) cameras . These camera habituate the same lens for viewing and capturing a picture , giving you a bang-up sense of ocular control . And the interchangeable Lens on SLRs let you quickly switch from a telephotograph shot of a faraway bird to a full - angle shot of a meadow . resolution on digital SLRs can array from 6 megapixels to 13 megapixels or more . And their internal electronics are often optimized to produce less image disturbance and faster answer times . In the correct hands , digital SLRs can capture stunning exposure that would be all but impossible with other digital television camera .
Of of course , all of this flexibility comes at a important monetary value . Digital SLRs start at $ 900 and can cost thousands of dollars . They ’re also substantially heavier than other digital cameras — especially if you ’re carrying around multiple lenses .
How Many Pixels Do You Need?
For many years digital photographers were consumed with the seeking for megapixels . My 1.3 - megapixel camera was the greatest affair in the mankind until the 2 - megapixel model arrived . Now consumer cameras proffer as many as 8 megapixels . But why are megapixels so important ? You certainly do n’t want to plonk down those excess dollars ( and use up valuable hard - drive place ) just for line-shooting rights .
Megapixels are of import for two reasons . First , they determine what size your prints can be . Second , they determine how much of the image you could crop away and still give rise a practiced mark .
Making Prints
Amegapixelis a unit of measurement that describes how much information the camera ’s image sensor can register . A 3 - megapixel tv camera , for model , can register around three million pixels deserving of data . Alone , each pixel is just a tiny dot of color . Together , they create an entire image .
The quality of a photographic print is determine by how closely these pel are packed together . If there are too few pixels per inch ( ppi ) , pic look blocky and unattractive . To achieve the smooth gradation of tones we ’ve come to bear from photographic prints , photos must be printed with at least 150 ppi . For a higher-ranking print , you must keep squishing all the direction to 300 ppi .
Of course , as you pack pixels closer together , your trope becomes much smaller . For example , a 3.2 - megapixel photo shrinks to a mere 5 by 7 inches when you condense the resolution to 300 ppi . To print a high - caliber 8 - by-10 - inch photo , you need at least 6.3 megapixels .
So to settle how many megapixels you ask , you should first study what you plan on doing with your images . thick cameras are peachy for printing 4 - by-6 - inch and 5 - by-7 - in print . But if you desire to go bigger , you should debate investing in an advanced amateur or pro camera . I commend at least 4 megapixels for casual shooters and a lower limit of 6 megapixels for advanced amateurs .
Measuring Pixels
- Dimensions are rounded to standard photo print size of it .
Estimated print size based on camera resolution .
Room to Zoom
There is an vantage to having slightly more megapixels than you think you may take — doing so can compensate for a weak rapid climb by giving you room to crop . Say you practice a 5 - megapixel television camera to take a picture of your girl playing soccer . Although you ’ve extend your camera ’s rapid climb to its fullest potential drop , she still seems far away in the photo .
Well , if you have a few megapixels to spare , you may actually “ surge in ” even closer by crop out unnecessary parts of the photograph . A 5 - megapixel tv camera can produce a high - quality 6 - by-9 - column inch print at full frame . This means that you’re able to crop out more than a third of the picture and still terminate up with a top - pass 5 - by-7 - inch mark .
File Size
But before you go out and buy a 6 - megapixel photographic camera , take an dependable look at your Mac setup . A 3.2 - megapixel photographic camera set at very high quality ( the mise en scene is typically called Super Fine ) raise 1.5 MiB files . The images from a 6.3 - megapixel camera at the same mise en scene are large than 3 MB . Uploading 100 , if not yard , of these images could play an aging or already strapped computing machine to its knees . you’re able to give yourself more room by add an external FireWire hard drive . But if your Mac is more than three age quondam , buy a new 6 - megapixel television camera may think of that you have to advance your computer , too — it ’s something to keep in mind .
Which Features Do You Need?
Once you ’ve settled on a type of camera and on the turn of megapixels you need , you should have narrowed your hunting to a more realizable number of camera . From this point on , you should base your decision on feature film and operation . commend , if your camera is hard to voyage or does n’t have the controls you require , you belike wo n’t apply it .
I ’ll ill-treat you through the most - common digital camera features and explain what ’s really significant — and what ’s just extra fluff .
The LCD
One of the joys of digital photography is instant gratification — you see your depiction as soon as you ’ve captured it . So you have it off you have the photo you require before it ’s too late to take a second shot . But all liquid crystal display are not created equal . Here ’s what to look out for as you browse for your next camera .
Image QualitySince the LCD is such an important part of the digital tv camera , be certain to spend some time in the store equate the LCDs on your leading contenders . The image should be sharp and saturated . As you pan the television camera , make certain that the LCD ’s image is capable to keep up with the motion ; it should n’t be dopey or delay . curb whether you could rotate the LCD so the concealment faces the back of the camera when not in habit . This will help protect it from scratches . Such screens can also be great for composing shots at unusual angles ( see “ Get a Better View ” ) .
Then prove to test the camera in brilliant light — next to a window , for example . Many camera confront a unspoilt figure in hushed light but become almost unclear in bright cheerfulness . Others , such as theKyocera Finecam SL400R , include particular technology that improves the LCD simulacrum in shining light .
Screen SizeDigital - camera LCD screen are generally between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inch across ( quantify diagonally ) . If you run to rely on the LCD as your view finder , I urge a camera with at least a 2 - inch silver screen . Larger screens also make it easier to share your pictures with others without first uploading them to your computer .
MagnificationWhatever blind size of it you pick out , check that the tv camera put up magnification con - trols that let you quickly zoom in on the word-painting you ’ve captured . It can be almost impossible to narrate whether a full - screen image is slightly blurry . By taking a closer look at a photo while there ’s still clip to try again , you ’ll prevent unpleasant surprises later . But be on the lookout man for poor imple - mentation . A unspoilt magnification peter is well accessible and lets you apace voyage to all areas of an image .
Data ViewingFor hobbyists and professional — or anyone who need to learn more about picture taking — I recommend a television camera that let you view image data while looking at pictures in playback mode . This helps you speedily trouble-shoot problematic exposure by giving you access to the exposure ’s options — such as white residual , photograph , and ISO ( light sensitiveness ) . You should also check that that you may easily hide this information when you do n’t need it .
The Flash
Almost all cameras nonpayment to an automatic - flash mood , which trigger the flash in any lowly - light place . Although this is useful for quick snapshots , it does n’t offer a lot of flexibility . In many situations , you ’ll get perceptibly better photos by override the camera ’s automatic control condition .
I cerebrate every respectable digital television camera should let in these three ostentation modes :
Flash OnThis is my favorite trice mode . Sometimes refer to as a filling flash lamp , it ram the camera ’s flash to fire , regardless of how much igniter there is . This eliminates problems with backlighting and is the mystery to taking beautiful outside portraits . The force instant add enough light to by rights light up the subject and balances the exposure for the setting .
Flash OffSometimes the split second destroys the humor of a shot — for good example , when the subject is next to a window with daytime cyclosis in . To enchant second like this , you need to be able-bodied to turn the flash off . This modal value is also essential for taking photos in places that do n’t allow flash bulb photography , such as museums , concert , and delivery rooms .
Slow - Synchro FlashEver detect that your flash lamp tend to wipe out background detail in your exposure ? The ho-hum - synchro place setting ( often referred to as nighttime mode ) solves this job by telling your camera to use a slow shutter hurrying in combination with the flash . By doing this , you capture more backdrop detail while gain sure that your subject is properly lit . It ’s thoroughgoing for flash portraits at twilight or in dimly fire up position . I apply this mode regularly and eff it .
External Flash OptionsIf you want to greatly meliorate the tone of your news bulletin photography — and if you ’re not concerned about the heft of your television camera — take a hint from the pros and choose a camera with a red-hot - horseshoe — a square bracket that lease you tie an international flash to the tv camera . international flashes confuse lighter wider and farther than build - in instant can , producing more - consistent visible radiation . They also heighten the flash head above the lens , which help reduce red - eye . ( Forget about using a tv camera ’s crimson - eye mode for this — it’ll be more annoying than useful . ) Some outside flashes even have rotating heads that countenance you bounce the light off of ceilings for a diffused , natural look . Finally , outside flashgun do n’t enfeeble your camera ’s batteries . You should be after to pass between $ 125 and $ 350 for a good external flash designed for your photographic camera .
The Zoom
A hefty rapid growth that can get you close to your national is always an asset in picture taking . But be careful when comparing tv camera ’ zoom specifications . Many manufacturers heel two different zoom type — optical and digital . The optical soar magnifies the look-alike by using actual glass chemical element ; it ’s similar to a telescope . The digital zoom manoeuvre much other than . It emulates the telephotograph effect by range out other portion of the image . In the process , you finish up compromise image quality .
When shopping for cameras , do n’t be swayed by the digital - zoom rating . In fact , I recommend that you flex off the digital zoom and leave it off . If you ’re reckon for a compact camera but are concerned that the typical 3x zoom ( the eq of a 35mm-105 millimetre lens ) wo n’t be sufficient , con - sider investing in a camera with 5 megapixels or more so you ’ll have room to harvest later . If you do a lot of nature or sports photography , you may need to look for a camera with a 7x or even 10x optical - zoom lens .
Shooting Modes
Some shot are heavy to capture than others — for model , the mo before your son blows out his birthday candles , or a closeup of a finespun blossom . To get these shots , you ’ll want a camera with specialized shot modes .
uninterrupted ShootingIf you take photos of sporting issue , shaver , or any other loyal , unpredictable topic , a uninterrupted - shooting ( or volley ) mode will make a huge difference in your photography . This modality let you hold down the shutter button to shoot multiple pic in rapid succession . The act of pictures you may memorialize in one burst is mold by your camera ’s electronics — and in some vitrine by the type of memory card you have . You may need a more expensive high - speed memory card to take advantage of your camera ’s fast shooting rate ( see “ Improve Your computer storage ” ) . If so , be trusted to factor that monetary value into your decision . To be effective , a continuous - shooting mode should catch images at 2 fps ( frames per second ) or faster at the camera ’s mellow resolution .
A burst mode can also assist you pay off for shutter lag — that diabolical holdup between the moment you press the shutter push button and when the picture is really recorded . This is a particu - lar job with heavyset cameras . By initiat - ing the burst mode just before the action begins , you ’ll greatly increase your hazard of capturing the right present moment .
Self - Timer or Remote ReleaseA television camera ’s self - timekeeper manner delays the shutter for a brief menstruation — usually 10 sec — so you have fourth dimension to dash over and join your friends in the shot . It ’s also extremely useful for low - lightness photography that requires long shut - ter speeds , such as a night snap of the Golden Gate Bridge . By putting the camera on a tripod or another steadfast surface , and then using the self - timer to set off the shutter , you ’re less potential to bump around the camera and smash the shooting . If you do this type of photography often , look for a camera that let in a 2 - second wait in addition to the more received 10 - second setting . That way , you ’ll waste less clock time waiting to make the vulnerability .
An even undecomposed option is to get a camera that includes a remote control condition , so you could fire the shutter from a length — usually 15 infantry or less — without having to set a timer . No more sore hyphen .
Macro ModeIf you prefer to get up nigh to your study — for example , when scud plants or bugs — compensate close attention to the camera ’s macro - mode spec . The macro modality allows the camera to focus on object that are very near . Macro modes can vary wide from tv camera to camera . Nikon ’s cameras , for example , are well known for their power to focus on subjects only inches away , while other brands ask a fundament or more of aloofness .
White-Balance Settings
unlike ignitor sources produce visible light at different vividness temperatures . As a effect , a color does n’t look quite the same under unreal light as it does outdoors . Your mastermind compensates for these fluctuation in color , but cameras need a little assistance . When they get it improper , photos can take on a blue or reddish cast . Your camera ’s white - remainder stage setting lets you compensate for these problem by telling the camera what type of lighting you ’re in .
Preset White BalancesIn many cases , a camera ’s automatic snowy symmetricalness does a good business of adjusting to different firing situations . But if it messes up , you need loose access to extra white - balance choice . Almost all digital television camera include at least five all important white - balance preferences — typically called Daylight , Cloudy , Tungsten ( for standard tripping light bulb ) , Fluorescent ( for fluorescent tubes ) , and Fluorescent H ( for daylight fluorescent fixture tubes ) . Ideally , you should be able to get to these configurations from a button or a top - grade menu item . You should n’t have to scour your camera ’s card each clip the lighting changes .
Manual White BalanceIf you often shoot without a flash to better capture ambient light , you should also make certain that your tv camera offers a custom white - balance setting . With this manner , you simply point your camera at a white control surface ; the camera then measures the lighting and applies the appropriate color fudge factor . This takes the guesswork out of choosing the right people of color temperature .
If you get hold yourself in tricky firing berth on a regular base , look for a camera that shoots in RAW mode ( see “ JPEG versus RAW ” ) . The RAW single file format lets you delay your conclusion about white balance until you ’re working at the estimator . This is very ready to hand for advanced lensman who are finical about the colors in their image and who do n’t mind spend clip in a pic editor to perfect each shot . Typically , only ripe amateur camera and digital SLR cameras offer manual - white - counterweight and birthday suit modes .
Manual Exposure Modes
Most casual photographers do n’t desire to conceive about point such as shutter swiftness and aperture . They just require to take the flick and go . When that ’s the case , the programme vulnerability modes include with most digital cameras — such as Portrait , Landscape , and Auto — work just ok .
But if you want to adulterate your shooting technique to charm creative , artistic exposure , you ’ll demand a photographic camera with innovative exposure controls , such as Aperture Priority , Shutter Priority , and Manual . These are typically found on advanced amateurish cameras and digital SLR cameras .
The Aperture Priority mode lets you contain the camera ’s depth of field by setting its farad - full point . ( Higher telephone number create slap-up profundity of field of view . ) This allow you find out how much of the photo is in stress .
The Shutter Priority musical mode controls the camera ’s shutter speed . Faster shutter f number can stop tight - pace action in its caterpillar track . Longer shutter upper will capture the upshot of movement over clip — for example , to give flux piss a dreamlike quality .
Seasoned photography veterans who wantcompletecontrol of their television camera preferences postulate a television camera that offers a full Manual mode , which lets you arrange both the shutter fastness and the fluorine - stop . If you ’re thinking of taking up picture taking as a hobby , these three modality are must - haves for creating exposure that really stand out .
Special Features
For adventurous lensman , there are some cameras that go beyond standard post card - size impression and offer video , panoramas , and more . These features are n’t for everyone , but if you take vantage of them , they can impart pregnant note value to your tv camera . Here are some of the most useful additions :
motion-picture show ModeIn gain to taking photos , some television camera can also catch poor video recording clips . Since you ’re likelier to have a digital television camera with you than a camcorder , this feature ensures that you capture lifespan ’s memorable surprises — for example , a tyke ’s first steps or words .
For best solvent , look for a television camera that records full - frame picture ( 640 by 480 pixels ) at 15 Federal Protective Service or fast . ( If you use this feature of speech a lot , investing in a tv camera that records 30 Federal Protective Service may be worthwhile . ) Also make certain that your photographic camera record book audio with the TV . And since video can cursorily take up a pile of memory board , you ’ll need a with child - electrical capacity store card—512 MB or more . cistron this cost into your budget .
PanoramasEver been disappointed that your pictures did n’t capture the full smasher and range of the scenery you were photographing ? The resolution is to take multiple , overlap exposure and then , using the accompanying software , run up them together on your computer . Although you could do this with any camera , some cameras propose a panorama musical mode that makes the process much gentle . This modal value locks your tv camera preferences so there are n’t dramatic difference in pic , and it may even help you judge the correct amount of intersection while get the photo .
Audio AnnotationsSome lensman like to take notes as they shoot — to keep track of who ’s in each photograph , for example . But rather than pull out a notebook computer each clip you need to spell something down , why not buy a television camera that let you record audio note ? Some cameras lease you bind an audio file to a picture . Although managing this additional Indian file selective information on your computing machine will require some supernumerary work , the public toilet might outweigh the postproduction scuffle .
Underwater PhotographyWouldn’t it be decent to take a few underwater shots while snorkeling in Hawaii ? or else of purchase a specialised camera , you may be able-bodied to use your existing digital camera — with an inexpensive but effective underwater housing . Companies such as Canon and Olympus offer waterproof housings that can be submerged to 130 feet — which is plenteous for most snorkel diving adventures . Most housings are outfit to a specific television camera model , so make certain your photographic camera offer a compatible housing before you bribe ( seewww.under waterphotography.comfor a good catalogue ) . caparison for compact camera run to be much more low-cost than the ones for digital SLRs . If you do n’t think you ’ll go snorkeling often enough to justify the extra disbursal , see if you’re able to rent a trapping at a local dive shop .
Do You Need Software?
Taking smashing photograph is n’t enough . You should also consider what you design todowith those photos once they ’re on your Mac . After all , is n’t portion out them the whole point ? To do this , you ’re locomote to need the right computer software .
Most digital television camera come with computer software for managing and cut your exposure . But in most cases , this bundled software is more trouble than it ’s worth — and it ’s rarely designed with the Mac exploiter in mind . With a few exception ( which I ’ll talk over in a moment ) you ’re much effective off ignoring the software that comes with your camera and instead either using Apple ’s computer software or buying software program from a third - party developer who really understands what Mac users want .
Worthwhile Bundles
Three bundled program sincerely do add value to a digital camera : Adobe Photoshop Elements(see Best Current damage ) , Canon’sRemote Capture , and Canon ’s PhotoStitch .
Photoshop Elements wad most of the prick from Adobe ’s professional trope editor behind an easy - to - usage interface — including many one - click solutions for common effigy job . I highly commend it for hobbyist photographers . you may also purchase it individually for $ 90 . ( For a tutorial on Elements 3 , see “ Image Editing beyond iPhoto , ” . )
Canon ’s Remote Capture lets you do all sort of keen things with a machine-accessible camera . For example , you may see the television camera from your Mac or set it to take shots at specified intervals for time - backsliding photography . And Canon ’s PhotoStitch software package is a great view editor . In fact , I favour it to the one included with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements .
Additional Software
Here are some other program I recommend adding to your digital armory :
Apple ’s iPhotoThis photograph manager is include with every Modern Mac . It can also be purchased for $ 49 as part of theiLife ’ 04 entourage — along with iMovie , iDVD , GarageBand , and iTunes . iPhoto is great for uploading , organizing , shit pocket-size fitting to , and outputting digital image . For example , I use it along with .Mac to allow quick Web posting for myphotography clients . Thanks to its seamless desegregation , I unremarkably have images post to the Web within hours after I give a wedding reception .
Adobe PhotoshopBeyond iPhoto , you should have a good picture editor program . Adobe Photoshop CS is at the top of the list . This program includes a hefty set of tools for correcting and manipulating your images . But it ’s also expensive ( $ 649 ) . If you do n’t need to spend a mass of clip fixing your images , I recommend picking up a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements — if it ’s not admit with your television camera . Both programs admit the Camera Raw plug - in for manage RAW files .
GraphicConverterFor the budget - minded lensman , I also recommendLemke Software’sGraphicConverter . This shareware image editor in chief runs on OS 9 and OS X. GraphicConverter also supports RAW formats from just about every major camera Creator .
The Last Word
Whatever you do , withstand impulse purchasing when denounce for a digital camera . Use the information in this article to build a checklist of the feature you want . ( You candownload our printable checklistand take it with you to the memory . )
My final word of advice : Get a camera that gives you room to grow . For instance , you might not take nature pic now because your television camera has a weak zoom lens . But with a hefty telephoto genus Lens — as with any advanced lineament — you might light upon a new rocking horse .
[ Derrick Story is the author ofDigital Photography Pocket Guide , 2d version ( O’Reilly , 2003 ) andDigital Photography Hacks(O’Reilly , 2004 ) . you may read his articles atMacDevCenter.com . ]
