Choosing a Digital Camera

Digital photography is growing in popularity, as the quality of digital imaging technology rapidly approaches that of traditional film, and as more people become both computer and web savvy. Digital images can be easily uploaded to your computer; from there they can then be manipulated using a variety of software, e-mailed to friends, or posted on a web site. The "film" used in digital cameras (i.e. storage media) can be used over and over again (and sometimes, depending on the format, can be used in different types of products such as MP3 players), so there's no need to run out and buy a roll of film every time you want to take pictures. Digital photography also provides a certain level of instant gratification, as you are able to immediately view your images, either on the LCD panel found on most cameras, or on your computer or TV screen. Note that the both Mac and PC enthusiasts can use virtually all of these cameras, since the manufacturers make software for both platforms now, and removable media card readers will transfer pictures to either platforms nearly effortlessly (these readers usually cost between twenty and thirty dollars). Listed below are descriptions of the key characteristics differentiating digital cameras. For more detailed information about these features, please refer to the glossary.

Price

Price Range: From $50 to $2,500. Most of the digital cameras fall within $200 to $900 with a median price of $450.

Delay Between Shots

The amount of time (measured in seconds) it takes the camera to process and store an image when shooting in normal mode (non-burst), at the camera's maximum resolution setting (also known as Recycle Time or Lag Time).
Why is it important? The delay between shots ranges from approximately 1 - 20 seconds. To some, this may not be much of an issue. For others, having to wait a while before being able to take another shot may be frustrating.

Flash Type

The flash makes a burst of light for shooting inside or in low-light conditions.
Why is it important? The type(s) of flash available vary from camera to camera. The flashes built into most digital cameras have limited range and adjustibility (on average, these flashes do not work well beyond 10 feet), in comparison to external flash options which can provide a much more powerful and versatile flash. Keep in mind that a camera with a "Hot Shoe" or "Flash Sync," will often come with the standard built-in flash as well.

Flash Options:

• Off/On/Auto - This refers to the basic flash functions, where the flash is always off, always on (for fill-ins, for example), or set to fire automatically when needed.
  
• Red-Eye Reduction- This refers to a mode of flash that helps prevent the appearance of people with red eyes in the picture.
  
• Flash sync - allows you to use more powerful flashes, and/or place the flash strategically, by attaching an external flash unit to the camera. Typically, a camera with flash sync will also offer the more traditional forms of flash as well, such as auto flash.
  
• Hot Shoe - This is a structure found on some digital cameras, to which an external flash unit is attached. Some cameras offering hot shoe capability also offer the more traditional forms of flash, such as automatic.
  

Resolution

Resolution Range:

• 640 x 480 Pixels = Minimum Computer Resolution
  
• 1280 x 960 Pixels = Film Resolution of 4"x6" print
  
• 1600 x 1200 Pixels = Film Resolution of 8"x10" print
  
• 1920 x 1600 Pixels = Very High Resolution
  

Rapid-Fire Shots

This feature allows you to take multiple rapid-fire shots with one touch of the exposure button. This can be a very useful feature when shooting subjects in motion, such as during a sporting event. Rapid-Fire is also known as Burst Mode or Continuous Shooting Mode.
Rapid-Fire Shots Range: 0 - 64 shots.

Optical Zoom

An optical zoom magnifies the image using a real multi-focal length lens (a digital zoom only enlarges the center 50%), allowing you to take more detailed pictures of objects which are faraway. Magnification level is measured in degrees, such as "2X" or "3X." A "2X" optical zoom, for example, means that if the camera's minimum focal length is 50mm, then it has the ability to take pictures up to 100mm. More than 50% of digital cameras on the market today do not have an optical zoom.

Ease of Download

This refers to how the camera downloads its pictures to your computer or printer. Some digital cameras offer more than one means of downloading your images.

What kinds are available?

• Via 3.5" Floppy - With this feature, the camera stores its images on the same floppy disks that you use in your PC or Macintosh. To transfer the images to your computer, you would remove the floppy from the camera and put it into your Macintosh or PC's floppy drive.
  
• Via Removable Memory - Many digital cameras store images on removable memory devices that can be swapped in and out of the camera like rolls of film. These can then be used with a variety of card readers (depending on the type of storage), which are typically purchased as an additional accessory (i.e., they are not provided by the manufacturer "in the box"). PCMCIA Type II or III cards are credit card size memory that do not require a card reader to download the images; you can insert the card directly into laptop computers. "Removable Media" does not include 3.5 in. floppy disks.
  
• Via Infrared - Infrared transmission uses invisible light to transfer pictures to your computer or printer. Also known as "IrDA," this technology allows one to download images without using cables or wires, but is also extremely slow.
  
• Via Parallel Cable - This type of cable connection is quite common, and transfers images faster than a serial connection, as it is able to send multiple bits of information at the same time (i.e., "in parallel").
  
• Via SCSI Cable - SCSI is a form of image transfer involving a high speed bus cable system, used mainly in Macintosh computers and newer PCs.
  
• Via Serial Cable - The most standard type of serial cable is identified as a "RS-232" interconnector. This method is relatively slow in comparison to a USB cable connection, but it's still quite commonly available.
  
• Via USB Cable - A USB (short for Universal Serial Bus) cable transports images from your digital camera via a connection that is much faster than a serial or parallel cable. It is important to note, however, that this type of connection can only be used with newer Pentium computers, and it won't work on PCs with slower or older processors. Note that many cameras with a USB cable will also offer a serial and/or parallel connection option.
  
• Via CDR - Some newer cameras use specially made recordable CDs to save images. This gives you the opportunity to save about 150 megabytes of pictures onto a disc that will slip into you computer's CD-Rom drive, where you can copy the pictures straight to your hard drive. This feature will tend to make the camera larger and bulkier, and you won't be able to copy over your pictures once you close the disc, but you may prefer the ease of transfer.
  

Image Capacity (at hi-res)

This refers to the camera's memory capacity for images shot at high resolution, using the amount of memory which comes shipped with the camera (some cameras allow you to add memory, which in turn will increase the number of images which can be stored).
What should you consider? Higher resolution requires more memory. It's important to note the high resolution (or maximum resolution) setting before evaluating this figure. Remember that you can add memory to many digital cameras by purchasing high volume storage cards.
Image Capacity Range: 1 - 3,000 images.

Camera Size

• This is a proxy for categorizing the varying dimensions, weights, and styles of digital cameras.
  Size Options:
  
• Pocket Size - a camera so small that you can put it in your shirt pocket. Typically, these are extremely lightweight (maximum weight of less than .56 lb.) and have widths under 5 inches. They are also quite flat, with depths rarely exceeding 1.5 inches.
  
• Medium Size - These camera are slightly larger than Pocket Size cameras, especially in terms of depth and weight. A Medium Size camera weighs somewhere between 0.5 lb. - 1 lb., averaging 0.75 lb. Most digital cameras are Medium Size.
  
• SLR Size - digital cameras which look like a standard SLR (Single-Lens-Reflex) camera. Larger than a Medium Size camera, these typically have a rectangular body with a substantial protruding lens and weigh more than one (1) lb.
  

Manual Features

Most digital cameras have fully automatic operation. Some cameras, however, come with manual features. These are the creative controls on the camera which allow you to adjust the focus, exposure settings, and white balance to allow for more precise picture taking.
What should you consider? Keep in mind that the degree of manual functionality can vary from one camera to another. Some cameras with "Manual Focus" have a traditional manual focus ring, for example, whereas others offer multiple pre-set options from which to choose. Please refer to the glossary for more detailed information about the following features.
Options: Manual Focus, Manual Aperture, Manual Shutter, Manual White Balance, Manual Exposure Compensation

Special Features

• These are the "bells and whistles" of a digital camera that distinguish it from other models.
  What kinds are available?
  
• Add-On Lens - a lens that attaches to the lens built into the digital camera. While an add-on lens is not as versatile as an actual interchangeable lens, it does provide you with an alternative means of composing a shot, by providing a telephoto or wide-angle option or add-on filters, to name a few. To date, most digital cameras do not offer this feature.
  
• Audio Recording - allows you to record a short sound bite with each image or movie, allowing you to makes notes for future reference or have a movie with sound.
  
• DPOF - or Digital Print Order Format, is a feature that allows you to send images directly to the printer while controlling the quantity and order of the images being printed.
  
• Interchangeable Lens - allows you to physically change the type of lens you use. Interchangeable lens capability is rarely found on digital cameras--and when it is, you can expect a hefty price tag along with it.
  
• Macro - a lens feature which allows you to take "close-up" shots, usually within one foot or less; it's good for taking pictures of small objects, such as a stamp or an insect.
  
• Mini Movie - allows you to create a short movie, for those times when still images simply won't do the trick.
  
• Remote Control - with this feature, you can take a picture without holding the camera - an alternative to using a self-timer.
  
• Rotatable Lens - allows you to adjust the angle of the lens (not the focusing ability of the camera). Some rotate 180 degrees while others can rotate a full 360 degrees, allowing you to compose a self-portrait while viewing yourself on the LCD panel.
  
• Instant Prints - A feature that allows you to put special instant film into your camera to print out pictures on the fly, just like a standard instant camera. Note that with this feature you can preview the picture before you print it, and that you can save or delete the picture in the camera's memory whether you print it or not.
  

Plays MP3s

This is a feature that allows you to play MP3 music files on your digital camera. Although it adds functionality to the camera, most models won't allow you to listen to MP3 files while you are taking pictures, or vice-versa. Also note that both your music and your pictures will share space on the camera's memory card, which may limit your ability to hold a great deal of either at the same time.

Digital Camera Resources on the Web - Places to help you decide which camera to buy

http://www.dcresource.com/

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

http://www.steves-digicams.com/