Checking for Key Digital Camera Features

In this article, I shall provide a list of the digital camera key features that you should think and know about. Here’s a summary of what to look for:

1.Resolution
Resolution determines how sharp your image will be, how much you can enlarge a photo before the pixels start to becomedistracting, and how much you can crop a photo and still be left with adecent image that you can enlarge and manipulate.

2.Lens
The lens is the eye of your digital camera. Look for the following in your lens:
•You’ll want good-quality optics that focus a sharp image on yourcamera’s solid-state sensor. The best way to gauge the quality of the lens is to take a test photo or two. A vendor’s reputation or lab tests in magazines are other ways to evaluate a lens.
•The lens also needs enough light-gathering power to let you shoot inreduced light levels. A camera’s light-gathering capabilities are measured in something called f-stops.
•The magnification power of the lens (how large or small an image appears to be from a particular shooting position) is another factor. A digital camera’s lens magnification can usually be varied by zooming in and out to make the image larger or smaller.
•A related factor, the zoom range, is another key characteristic to look at. Where magnification tells you only how large or small theimage can be made to appear, the zoom range tells you the differencebetween the two. As I mention under the discussion of generalcamera categories, some lenses have only a small zoom range, say 2:1,whereas others have a longer range, up to 12:1 or more (which meansthe image size can be varied up to 12X).

What’s the difference between magnification and zoom range?
Magnification deals purely with how large or small an image appears to sbe. For example, one lens may extend from a 28mm (35mm equivalent)to 85mm (35mm equivalent) magnifications, a 3:1 zoom range. Another lens might go from 35mm to 105mm (both 35mm equivalents) and also qualify as a 3:1 zoom range optic. However, the second lens would provide more relative magnification.

3.Storage
The kind and amount of removable storage is another key feature. The more storage space you have for photos, the more pictures you can take before “reloading” your digital camera. Most cameras use CompactFlash, Secure Digital, or other electronic “film” media.

4.Exposure controls:
Except for the least expensive models, all digital cameras include automatic exposure controls that adjust the amount oflight reaching the sensor based on the lighting conditions of your subject. If the illumination is low, an auto exposure system uses a wider lens f-stop or exposes the sensor for a longer period of time. If there is a lot oflight, the exposure system reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor. Cameras with more versatile automatic exposure controls let you specify what type of exposure to use. For example, when shooting action, it’s often preferable to use the shortest shutter speed possible to freeze the motion and to adjust the size ofthe lens opening instead. Conversely, if you want a lot of your image to be in sharp focus (say, objects very close to the camera and very far are both important), you may be able to choose an exposure mode that favors maximum depth of field. You probably want a digital camera that can handle several different exposure modes and lets you set exposure yourself.

5.Focus controls
Most digital cameras also have an automated system for sharply focusing your images. Some are more versatile than others, and many cameras also let you focus manually to ensure that the subject matter you want to emphasize is the sharpest.

6.Viewfinders
Digital cameras generally have four ways to let you preview and compose your images prior to exposure. The color LCD panel on the back of the camera shows you the same image that the sensor is capturing. The LCD is often hard to view in bright light, so digital cameras also may have optical viewfinders that let you see a non electronic version ofthe frame. More-advanced cameras might include a second LCD (EVF) in the camera, where it is shielded from the glare of the surrounding light. Single lens reflexes (SLRs) let you see an optical version of the picture through the same lens used to take the photo.

7.Other equipment, other features
Finally, as you choose your digital photography gear, think about accessories, such as tripods, filters,add-on lenses, external electronic flash units, scanners, printers, and additional stuff. Even the storage media you use to archive your photos, such as CDs or DVDs, can all be important.