Buying or upgrading a camera- All you should know

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Buying or upgrading a camera- All you should know

Over the last few years camera's have become increasingly more popular and even more popular are digital camera's. Unfortunately most people dont realise that much like with a car, buying a digital camera can get rather technical. This guide is here to help you with the technicalities and to allow you do make the best of your budget with the best camera.

What to look out for? Below is a list of very imporrtant aspects to look into when purchasing a digital camera:

1.Sensor:

The sensor of a camera is the eye of the camera; the part that actually records the picture. Therefore you want a very good sensor. There are two very good principles being used in digital camera's at the moment. These are based on CCD (Charge couple device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal oxide sdemiconductor) sensors. Both of these sensors are brilliant. Fuji uses mostly CCD and manufacturers like Canon, Sony, Pentax and Nikon use Cmos. With either sensor you cant go wrong.

.2.Viewfinder

Most new digital camera's do not come with viewfinders anymore to accommodate for a larger LCD (Liquid crystal display) screen. Before buying your camera decide whether you want a viewfinder or not. I find them very useful as in some situatons the brightness of the sun and shadows overpowers the little screen and you can see nicely. In the store test the viewfinder and check its accuracy.

3.Display

This much like the sensor is a very important aspect to any digital camera. You want decent size but also good quality. Do not purchase a camera with a rubbish LCD/TFT screen. IT will affect your photo skills and is simply not user friendly.

4.Zoom lens

Most compact camera's offer a 3 or 4 times zoom. Dont however be fooled by this. Most manufacturers include the digital zoom in this number and in photography you dont want to use digital zoom (It decreases picture quality). Once again. Test the zoom in store, make sure you are happy with it Take a picture with the zoom on it highest setting and check the quality (Do this by zooming into the image on the screen of the camera. Any grainyness, blur means dont buy it). Remember that like with cars. A bigger engine means a bigger car. Well camera's are the same. The bigger the zooms the bigger the camera. If you can try get a fixed zoom camera where the zoom is built into the camera housing. This saves battery and protects the zoom against accidental damage. (Look at the Fujifilm S700 for an example of this technology).

5.Mode Dial

Many digial camera's today provide you with a ââ,¬Å"mode dialââ,¬Â. This has become very useful because it makes accessing scenes, menu's and different shooting modes very easy. Make sure your camera has a mode dial function or get used to scrolling through menu's to access functions like night mode. Party mode etc etc.
6.Power Switch

It sounds stupid but have a good fiddle with the power switch. Its one thing that annoys me about my camera and some switches are just plain stupid.

7.Built in flash

Test this too. Most new semi SLR/ DSLR cameras come with extremely good flashes. Unfortunately compact camera's dont. Try get a camera that allows you to change the brightness of the flash and that does not take long to recharge after taking a picture.

8.Zoom button vs Rocker

Once again. Also a stupid thought much like the power button. Test the zoom buttons or rocker (Depending on camera make). Make sure they are easy to reach, comfortable to use and that they wont wear easily.

9.USB Socket

For most people the USB cable is the only way they transfer pictures to the computer. Make certain that your new camera is compatible with USB 2.0 and not the older USB 1.1. The newer version means faster transfer speed and trust me. When you download up to 600 pics at a time this is a big advantage.

10.AV/HDMI Socket

This is a great feature with new camera's. IF possible try get a camera with a HDMI output. This means you can see your videos, pics etc that are on the camera on your TV in full HD rather then the usual Av wich will blur and look a bit dull on most new HD Plasma's and LCD's.

11.Megapixels- Why you should care

Higher megapixels means better quality. It also means more light and much better colours. Do not buy a camera with under 7 mega pixels. 7.1 mega pixels is the best you will get and most other camera that claim 8 and 9 mega pixels (Not including SLR's) use a method known as Interpolation which ââ,¬Å"fakesââ,¬Â the extra pixels which is a minor loss of quality and a larger image size. You dont need this.

12.Lens- What to look for

On the lens you will find a large variety of different letter and numbers. These letters are probably as foreign as chinese noodles so here is a quick guide:

F Values:

All lenses has this and the F value refers to aperture. In other word how well the camera copes in different lighting situatiuons. A low F value means the lens is better suited for darker environments and a higher value means your camera will struggle in low lighting. Many new cameras supply two values on the lens. The highest and lowest F values. Try get a decent range.

Focal Length:

Most manufacturers use different styles of representing this. Dont however be fooled. The concept is the same. These figures are seen in mm and are usually at the base of the lens. Check these values as lens with say 28-105mm focal range is better for indoor shots whereas a camera lens with 38-380mm is better for outdoor or sports.

With lens you want to stick with brand names. Sigma etc are very good. The new Sony camera use exceptionally good lenses. I can remember the name though.... Starts with a C. Always remember that there is no point in buying an expensive camera and putting a poor lens on it, Like the sensor the lens hugely affects the picture you take.

13.Understanding memory cards

This is also extremely important. You want a very good memory card else the photo's you take will not be saved at the best quality. Most manufactures have actually created memory cards designed specifically for the camera you buy. IF budget allows. Buy these. Some other Memory cards:

Compact flash: This is an older type of memory and you want to stay away from it. Its big in physical size and big in memory size too. You want to stay away from this unless you are a proffessional. These cards are still expensive and only the best camera's have this format. Rather buy:
Secure digital or SD Cards: These are the most common memory cards on the market and lately have become more affordable.Canon, Casio, Pentax, Fuji and Panasonic now use this format.
Memory Stick: IF you buy a Sony. Expect to buy a memory Stick. The memory stick is designed by Sony and is very good. Try buy the new Sony memory stick Duo.
SmartMedia: Developed by Fujifilm and Olympus. This is old technology and avoid buying a camera that uses this format. It usually means the camera is old.
MultiMedia Card: This is probably the safest option when buying a memory card. Suited with almost every manufacturer and other applications too (Nintendo Wii, photo frames etc). If you can. Buy this card.

14.Other info

Decide what you want from a camera. Whether you want a SLR for proffessional photography or just a compact for everyday shots. Maybe you want something in the middle. Then a DSLR is well suited.
Do your research. If you find a camera you like. Call up some other places as chances are you will get it cheaper elsewhere.
Stick to brandnames. Sony, Fuji, Panasonic and Canon.
Make use of the various review sites available, they are very helpful and give you a good viewpoint on a potential camera. Dont however only believe in only one review. Read one or two.
Sotware. Check what software comes with the camera. Some camera's have very good software. Check this out.

Lastly. Have fun choosing your camera and remember to post up some pics of what you have taken etc.
I hope this has been of some sue to you. Let me know if there are any questions you have.

Mike