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Part 3: Shopping for a camera.
When choosing a camera, there is no perfect way to proceed. However,
it is possible to establish some basic requirements which can help narrow
the field. It is probably best to set a budget as a first step. A budget
with a latitude of a couple of hundred dollars might be easier.
The following questions & answers should provide some guidance:
- Do you prefer a simple use point and shoot camera?
An answer in the affirmative to this question means that
your primary consideration will be cost. From entry-level
on up, all cameras offer a Program AE mode that is fully
automatic. If on the other hand you prefer a camera with
more options, then you are able to eliminate most entry-level
cameras and direct your attention to the midrange.
- Is a zoom critical for your needs?
A "yes" answer here, means you can focus your
attention on models with 3X zooms and above. Ignore digital
zooms altogether, these are simply cropping systems and
the same results can be obtained from any image editing
program. Concentrate on true optical zooms, and particularly
on cameras that offer zooms that "bracket" a
standard focal length of 50mm (in 35mm equivalent). Zooms
that cover a range of 35mm to 105mm offer a reasonably
wide angle and telephoto. Be aware that a zoom covering
28mm to 84mm, also 3X, will give you a wider field of view
in wide angle, but considerably less magnification in telephoto.
If the camera will be primarily used in a work environment, then this
should also be considered. Some work-related photography involves shooting indoors,
where a wide angle is preferable, such as a 28 to 84mm. Conversely, work-related
photography done mostly outdoors may require a zoom with a greater
magnification, such as a 35 to 105mm. Most mid-range and High-end models
offer these type of focal lengths, and some go beyond 105mm. This leads
to the next question:
What will be the primary use of the camera? Work or
pleasure?
Often, a "work" camera will see greater use,
and possibly by more people, than one intended strictly
for personal use. This implies that the camera will sustain
more wear and tear. In such a case, it might be worthwhile
to consider cameras that have metallic alloy surfaces.
Usually, these kinds of surfaces will wear better over
time and use, than those that are made of plastics. Another
possibility might be to look to weatherproof cameras; some
models are available from Kodak and Fujifilm.
In addition, the camera's flash capabilities might be critical in work-related
use. Most built-in flashs are insufficient to light a wide area. If a
powerful flash is critical, then the camera should either have a hotshoe,
or at least an external flash connection. These features are fairly common
on midrange and high-end cameras, but not on entry-level models.
- What will be the primary application for your photos?
This is one of the most important question since, to a great
extent, it helps determine the resolution of the camera.
Photos have many applications ranging from printing glossy
8 x 10's, to posting them on a Web site or e-mailing. Nearly
all cameras on the market can accomplish the least demanding
uses, but fewer will accomplish the most demanding.
Generally speaking, the Web is one of the least demanding uses for a camera.
Because of the constraints imposed by monitor resolution and bandwidth,
photos destined to be posted "as-is" hardly ever require high
resolution. But, if the photos are going to be altered or manipulated in
a photo editing program, then a higher starting resolution might be necessary
even though the images may end up smaller when used on the Web.
For instance, product photography for a Web site may necessitate that the
images be presented on a uniformly coloured background. To ensure consistent
results, this usually requires that the products be "cut-out" from
the background of the photo and placed on another background texture or
colour. In such cases, a higher resolution makes the work easier since
it provides greater detail and often produces a better image even when
reduced in size.
If the photos are intended for printing—replacing the work done by
the mini-lab—or a scanner, then a higher resolution might be necessary
to produce sharper and larger prints. Photos with higher resolution photos
can be printed at a higher density and will produce a smoother image. For
printing purposes, the resolution is in fact the factor that limits the
image size.
Too few dots of ink produce printed photos with a noticeable grain, or
worse, jaggies. If a 300 DPI is assumed, a 1.3 megapixel resolution will
produce a good quality 4 x 3 print; a 2 megapixel resolution will produce
a 5 x 4 print; and 4 megapixel will produce a 7.5 x 5.5 inch photo. Note
that depending on the printer, a lower DPI can be used to increase the
image size without seriously affecting the image quality.
The final step is to look at the answers to these basic questions, and
line-up the candidates. Then, reading the reviews, available here and on
other sites, for the "short list" of cameras, should help narrow
the choices till your goal is reached.
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