Digital Cameras
A digitial camera is a camera that takes video or still photograph, or both, digitally by recording images on a light-sensitive sensor, then storing it on digital media (such as flash memory). With a digital camera you can take unlimited pictures and not worry about running out of film-just download your photo to a computer, and your camera's memory is free again. Improvements in digital storage allow you to take up to 1000 pictures on certain memory cards. So you never have to pay for film processing, and you get your photos immediately, instead of having to wait for the prints to be developed. You can e-mail photos to friends, print them out out on photo paper or stickers, or post them on the web, all without hassling with photo labs or scanners. Many compact still digital cameras can record sound and moving video as well as still photographs. Today, digital photo cameras outsell 35 mm film cameras 20 to 1. digital cameras have been available in the market now for many years, and are manufactured by a wide array of companies, such as : olympus, Canon, Nikon, Sony, JVC, Kodak, Panasonic, and more.
Digital cameras can include features that are not found in film cameras, such as displaying an image on on the camera's screen immediately after it is recorded, the capacity to take thousands of images on a single small memory device, the ability to record video with sound, ability to edit images, and deletion of images allowing re-use of storage they occupied. Digital cameras come in may styles, types, and resolutions. There are now 8 megapixel ( 8 MP), 10 megapixel, 12 MP, and digital SLR cameras. Digital cameras are incorporated into many device ranging from PDAs (Smartphone) and mobile phones (called camera phones) to vehicle.
When shopping for a digital camera, start by identify your needs. Do you want to take pictures of friends, family and landscapes ? Will you be using the camera for professional graphics work ? Are you going to be editing your pictures ? Do you ever plan on printing your photos ? Knowing what kind of photos you'll be taking most often will help you decide what resolution, storage type, power source, and other amenities you'll need. Check out the specific features below for more details.
To start, the lines between the two sides are quickly beginning to fade. Some manufacturers produce cameras that seem to behold aspects of both varieties. As with many industries, that of the camera advance at a quick rate.
Kinds of Cameras :
As the (simplified) diagram above shows, the mirror inside an SLR reflects the image formed by the lens up to the optical viewfinder (via a focusing screen and prism). When the picture is taken the mirror flips out of the way to allow the light to fall directly onto the sensor (or film), which sits behind a mechanical shutter. The mirror is also flipped up for live view operation (where the sensor is used to provide a live video feed directly to the screen on the back). More on this - and on the newer 'mirrorless' hybrid cameras at the below of this page.
In very general terms, a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflect) camera offers the option of removable lenses. The lenses have a reflex mirror, which allows the owner to view an intended, captured image through the camera's lens. The owner can see the image through the view finder, and when the shot is taken, the camera's mirror pops up allowing the image sensor to capture the intended sight (what you see is what you get).
Let's consider some advantages and disadvantages of both varieties :
Digital LSR Cameras (DSLR Cameras) advantages :
Digital cameras can include features that are not found in film cameras, such as displaying an image on on the camera's screen immediately after it is recorded, the capacity to take thousands of images on a single small memory device, the ability to record video with sound, ability to edit images, and deletion of images allowing re-use of storage they occupied. Digital cameras come in may styles, types, and resolutions. There are now 8 megapixel ( 8 MP), 10 megapixel, 12 MP, and digital SLR cameras. Digital cameras are incorporated into many device ranging from PDAs (Smartphone) and mobile phones (called camera phones) to vehicle.
When shopping for a digital camera, start by identify your needs. Do you want to take pictures of friends, family and landscapes ? Will you be using the camera for professional graphics work ? Are you going to be editing your pictures ? Do you ever plan on printing your photos ? Knowing what kind of photos you'll be taking most often will help you decide what resolution, storage type, power source, and other amenities you'll need. Check out the specific features below for more details.
I want to buy a digital camera, but don't know the difference between a Digital SLR cameras (DSLR) and a Point-and-Shoot digital camera ?
To start, the lines between the two sides are quickly beginning to fade. Some manufacturers produce cameras that seem to behold aspects of both varieties. As with many industries, that of the camera advance at a quick rate.
Kinds of Cameras :
- Digital SLR Cameras
- Point & Shoot Cameras
- Mirrorless Cameras
Understanding SLR & Digital SLR Cameras (DSLR Cameras)
The basic physical design of the SLR has remained essentially unchanged for over half a century. The name itself, 'Single Lens Reflex', refers to the hinged mirror that bounces the light passing through the lens up to the viewfinder for framing then flips out of the way when you press the shutter to allow the light to hit the sensor (or film).
As the (simplified) diagram above shows, the mirror inside an SLR reflects the image formed by the lens up to the optical viewfinder (via a focusing screen and prism). When the picture is taken the mirror flips out of the way to allow the light to fall directly onto the sensor (or film), which sits behind a mechanical shutter. The mirror is also flipped up for live view operation (where the sensor is used to provide a live video feed directly to the screen on the back). More on this - and on the newer 'mirrorless' hybrid cameras at the below of this page.
In very general terms, a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflect) camera offers the option of removable lenses. The lenses have a reflex mirror, which allows the owner to view an intended, captured image through the camera's lens. The owner can see the image through the view finder, and when the shot is taken, the camera's mirror pops up allowing the image sensor to capture the intended sight (what you see is what you get).
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| An example of Digital SLR Camera (DSLR Camera) |
Let's consider some advantages and disadvantages of both varieties :
Digital LSR Cameras (DSLR Cameras) advantages :
- Allows for large pixel sizes.
- Adaptable in many situations regarding multiple lens use, accessory use (flashes and filters), and indoor/outdoor settings.
- Great speed time regarding start up, focusing and shutter lag.
- Due to the reflex mirror function, they provide genuine image (what you see is what you get).
- Vast array of ISO setting (determines how sensitive the image sensor is to light).
- Variety and finger convenience of manual controls.
- Can be expensive
- Larger in size and come with accessories
- Requires more maintenance (cleaning and care)
- Requires more knowledge of photography
- No 'LCD' window, though some DSLR models feature a 'live view' option modeled after the LCD window.
Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera
Point-and-shoot digital cameras are economically-priced, and offer a lot
of abilities for a novice photographer as well as those seeking to
perform bask camera functions. though lack some abilities compared to a
DSLR digital camera.
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| An example of Point-and-shoot Camera |
Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera advantages :
- Lightweight and compact (some can fit in pocket)
- Very quiet
- Excellence of auto-mode
- Economically-priced
- LCD display windows (help with framing)
- Image quality is great for a novice or intermediate, but may be disappointing to professional or those seeking to produce large prints.
- Poor shutter lag time (the time between when the button is pressed and the actual picture is taken)--though this is improving through time.
- Poor viewfinder option as opposed to LCD (though most point-and-shoot camera owners only use the LCD window).
- Limitation of manual controls.
- Less adaptable in comparison to DSLR accessory capabilities.
A digital camera's associated number of megapixels will improve the quality of the captured image, so a six megapixel camera will capture a crisper image than that of a five megapixel camera. That being said, it is important to ask yourself what the ultimate desire will be regarding your pictures. Are you going to blow up your pictures for printing ? If so, then it is recommended to look for as many megapixels as possible (and/or purchase a DSLR camera). If images will be printed or digitally transferred to a computer at normal size, then any digital camera starting at five megapixels will serve you well.
What are some digital camera added accessories ?
That is a good question because sometimes a manufacturer's quoted price only refers to the camera itself; added accessories will cost you extra. Here are some digital camera accessories to think about, which may or may not be included in the original, quoted price :
What are some digital camera added accessories ?
That is a good question because sometimes a manufacturer's quoted price only refers to the camera itself; added accessories will cost you extra. Here are some digital camera accessories to think about, which may or may not be included in the original, quoted price :
- Camera case
- Memory cards
- Recharger
- Lenses
- Filters
- Tripods/monopods
- External flashes
- reflectors
What is the difference between 'optical' and 'digital' zoom ?
Both 'zooms' make the captured image bigger, but many believe that an optical zoom is more superior than a digital zoom. The reason being is that a digital zoom, though making an image bigger, only enlarges the pixels, which can make the image appear more pixilated and a bit distorted. Optical zooms, like digital zoomz, will increase the size of a captured image, yet maintain better integrity of the image. Most digital cameras offer optical zooms up to 3x the image, while some offer 'super zooms' can make the image 12x larger or more.
What are some extra, digital camera buying tips ?
Mirrorless System Camera is a growing category of digital cameras. It has an interchangeable lens mount to fit different lens for special occasions. Unlike Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) sameras, the mirrorless system camera does not have a mirror-based viewfinder and is lighter weight at compact size.
At the moment the so-called 'hybrid' camera is very much in its infancy, and is expected to take a significant chunk out of the entry-level SLR market over the next couple of years as more players join the game. As it stands there are pros and cons to a mirrorless system camera when compared to a similarly-priced SLR:
Hybrid camera advantages
Glossary
Ambient light : The natural light in a scene.
Anti-Shake or Image Stabilization : Minimizes the effect of camera shake by eliminating the blur to deliver clean and crisp images every time.
Image stabilization systems reduce the blur caused by camera shake, allowing sharp pictures to be taken even in low light or at long focal lengths.
Aperture : A small, circular opening inside the lens that can change in diameter to control : the amount of light reaching the camera's sensor as a picture is taken. The aperture diameter is expressed in f-stops; the lower the number, the larger the aperture. For instance, the aperture opening when set to f/2.8 is larger than f/8. The aperture and shutter speed together control the total amount of light reaching the sensor. A larger aperture passes more light through to the sensor. Many cameras have an aperture priority mode that allows you to adjust the aperture to your own liking. (Also see "Shutter Speed" below).
CCD : Charge Coupled Device : one of the two main types of image sensors used in digital cameras. When a picture is taken, the CCD is struck by light coming through the camera's lens. Each of the thousands or millions of tiny pixels that make up the CCD convert this light into electrons. The number of electrons, usually described as the pixel's accumulated charge, is measured, then converted to a digital value. This last step occurs outside the CCD, in a camera componenst called an analog-to-digital converter.
CD-R : CD-Recordable : a compact disc that holds either 650 to 700 MB of digital information, including digital photos. Creating one is commonly referred to as burining a CD. A CD-R disc can only be written to once, and is an ideal storage medium for original digital photos.
CD-RW : CD-Rewritable : similar in virtually all aspects to a CD-R, except that a CD-RW disc can be written and erased many times. This makes them best suited to many back up tasks, but not for long term storage of original photos.
CMOS : Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor : one of the two main types of image sensors used in digital cameras. Its basic function is the same as that of a CCD. CMOS sensors are currently found in only a handful of digital cameras.
Compression : Another factor that affects image quality is compression, the process that shrinks a photo's file size. Most cameras take photos as compressed JPEG files, which allows you to store more image on a memory card. Compression also makes it faster to save and download photos and easier to e-mail photos or download them as part of a Website. For most uses-- e-mail photos to friends, printing out of photos for albums, or posting images on the Web--compressed images are adequate. Compression casuses a small amount of data loss, how ever. If you need the absolute best-quality images, consider buying a camera that takes uncompressed photos. You'll only be able to fit a few uncompressed images on a memory card, but you'll get the sharpest, clearest, most detailed pictures possible. This feature is deal when you plan on printing your photos.
Computer Connections : Most high-end cameras have software and connections for both Mac and PC Computers, but make sure the digital camera you want is compatible with your platform before you buy it. All consumer digital cameras come with the software
Sensor size : Let's look first at the physical size of CCD or CMOS sensor used to capture your photographs. Although there are slight variations, virtually all DSLR sensors fit into one of three size categories (starting with the largest); Full Frame, APS-C and Four-Thirds. Sensor size isn't as important as some people would have you think, but there are some key differences. The first is what is known as the 'crop factor'. As the diagram below shows, as the sensor gets smaller it captures a smaller area of the scene, resulting in a photograph that looks like it was taken at a longer focal length (1.5x or 1.6x longer for APS-C, 2x for Four-Thirds).
The crop factor isn't a major issue for most users, but it does have important consequences for some. If you're buying a digital SLR to replace a film model because you've got a kit bag full of lenses you need to be aware that unless you buy a full frame model all your lenses will produce very different results on your new camera.
For telephoto shooters the result is quite a bonus, as all your lenses will effectively get even more powerful. On the other hand the crop factor means your wideangle lenses will no longer offer anything like a 'wide' field of view. Fortunately there is a wide range of specially designed 'digital only' lenses for smaller sensor DSLRs.
So which is right for you? Each has its own benefits and each has its limitations, and if you're building a DSLR system from scratch you needn't get too hung up on which is right for you.
The largest (and most expensive) DLSR format is full frame (so called because the sensor is the same size as a frame of 35mm film). DSLRs with full frame sensors have the biggest, brightest viewfinders and because there's no crop factor are often chosen by photographers who are upgrading from a film SLR and already own expensive wideangle lenses. The larger sensor also means that - all other things being equal - full frame cameras will produce the best results in very low light and at higher sensitivities. On the downside, full frame cameras are big and expensive, and there is only a handful of models to choose from. You also lose the focal length 'boost' offered by smaller sensor cameras when shooting with telephotos.
APS-C is by far the most common format, used in virtually all Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony DLSR models. With a crop factor of 1.5x or 1.6x you need special digital lenses to get true wideangle results, but these are readily available and are usually less expensive than their 'full frame' counterparts. The 'kit lens' supplied with most APS-C cameras is a good starting point, offering a versatile zoom range from wideangle to short telephoto.
Four Thirds is a new 'all digital' format developed by Olympus
and currently used in Olympus and Panasonic DSLR models. Unlike the
other systems on the market Four Thirds is not based on any existing
film SLR system and uses a totally new lens mount, so all the lenses in
the system are designed for digital, making the crop factor issues
mentioned above less relevant. With the smallest sensor size Four Thirds
offers slightly more compact camera bodies and lenses. Although the
smaller sensor should in theory mean that these cameras produce noisier
(grainier) results in low light and at higher sensitivities, for most
purposes the difference isn't huge.
What are some extra, digital camera buying tips ?
- Ask yourself what you are going to don with the digital camera. Is it for occasional event keepsakes ? Sporting events ? Freelance work ? Shooting landscapes ? Addressing this question will help you determine core and extra accessories and your budget.
- Are you an experienced photographer or do you intend to further your camera knowledge ? If so, then a more advanced digital camera model may be suitable for you.
- How important is camera size and ease of portability to you ? Some digital cameras are very compact, yet those more involved are bigger and come with added accessories.
- Think about what features are most important to you. Write down from most sought after to least needed features before beginning the purchase cycle for your digital camera.
- How realistic is your budget ? More advanced models can be expensive. so that needs to be realized. In addition, if you're looking to become more involved in your hobby, then opting for a superior model may better serve you now than deciding on an upgrade a short time from now.
- Many people now shop on the Web due to convenience and variety of selection. It is recommended to take advantage of what both schools of shopping have to offer. Visit camera shops and play around with some cameras to get sense of how they feel and how their abilities function. Once you narrow your decision down to a few models, come back online and see what kind of deals the Web has to offer. Web suppliers often offer lower prices because they do not have to associate prices with salespeople, rent of brick and mortar stores, and other marketing endeavors.
- Some digital cameras come with auxiliary lights, which will help in dim or indoor settings. If a majority of shots will be taken indoors, look for this option.
- Look for brand-name digital cameras. Various retailers offers Canon, Nikon, Sony, Kodak,Olympus, Samsung, Fuji and many more.
Mirrorless ('Hybrid') system cameras / Compact Cameras
Mirrorless System Camera is a growing category of digital cameras. It has an interchangeable lens mount to fit different lens for special occasions. Unlike Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) sameras, the mirrorless system camera does not have a mirror-based viewfinder and is lighter weight at compact size.
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| An example of Mirrorless Camera |
Mirrorless cameras use a mechanically simpler system that does away with the optical viewfinder and mirror altogether. This allows for physically smaller 'big sensor' cameras that promise the quality of an SLR without the bulk.
The prominent system at the moment, Micro Four Thirds (offered by Olympus and Panasonic) features two distinct camera formats. The first looks (and in many respects acts) like a conventional SLR, complete with a large high resolution electronic viewfinder. The second format gets a lot closer to 'compact camera' size by dropping the eye-level viewfinder altogether (all framing is done with the rear LCD screen). Some models offer an optional clip-on electronic viewfinder.At the moment the so-called 'hybrid' camera is very much in its infancy, and is expected to take a significant chunk out of the entry-level SLR market over the next couple of years as more players join the game. As it stands there are pros and cons to a mirrorless system camera when compared to a similarly-priced SLR:
Hybrid camera advantages
- Smaller, lighter and usually quieter than equivalent SLR
- Ease of use with many compact camera features (such as face detection)
- Better integrated video capture functionality
- Electronic viewfinders usually larger than entry-level SLR optical viewfinders
- Full shooting information and menus in the viewfinder
- Smaller lenses
- Fewer models / brands to choose from
- Limited lens choices
- Slower - in some cases much slower - autofocus
- Limited continuous ('burst') shooting capabilities
- Electronic viewfinders cannot match the clarity of a good optical finder
- Current models offer relatively poor low-light performance
Glossary
Ambient light : The natural light in a scene.
Anti-Shake or Image Stabilization : Minimizes the effect of camera shake by eliminating the blur to deliver clean and crisp images every time.
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| Image stabilization systems reduce the blur caused by camera shake (OFF), allowing sharp pictures to be taken even in low light or at long focal lengths (ON). |
Image stabilization systems reduce the blur caused by camera shake, allowing sharp pictures to be taken even in low light or at long focal lengths.
Aperture : A small, circular opening inside the lens that can change in diameter to control : the amount of light reaching the camera's sensor as a picture is taken. The aperture diameter is expressed in f-stops; the lower the number, the larger the aperture. For instance, the aperture opening when set to f/2.8 is larger than f/8. The aperture and shutter speed together control the total amount of light reaching the sensor. A larger aperture passes more light through to the sensor. Many cameras have an aperture priority mode that allows you to adjust the aperture to your own liking. (Also see "Shutter Speed" below).
CCD : Charge Coupled Device : one of the two main types of image sensors used in digital cameras. When a picture is taken, the CCD is struck by light coming through the camera's lens. Each of the thousands or millions of tiny pixels that make up the CCD convert this light into electrons. The number of electrons, usually described as the pixel's accumulated charge, is measured, then converted to a digital value. This last step occurs outside the CCD, in a camera componenst called an analog-to-digital converter.
CD-R : CD-Recordable : a compact disc that holds either 650 to 700 MB of digital information, including digital photos. Creating one is commonly referred to as burining a CD. A CD-R disc can only be written to once, and is an ideal storage medium for original digital photos.
CD-RW : CD-Rewritable : similar in virtually all aspects to a CD-R, except that a CD-RW disc can be written and erased many times. This makes them best suited to many back up tasks, but not for long term storage of original photos.
CMOS : Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor : one of the two main types of image sensors used in digital cameras. Its basic function is the same as that of a CCD. CMOS sensors are currently found in only a handful of digital cameras.
Compression : Another factor that affects image quality is compression, the process that shrinks a photo's file size. Most cameras take photos as compressed JPEG files, which allows you to store more image on a memory card. Compression also makes it faster to save and download photos and easier to e-mail photos or download them as part of a Website. For most uses-- e-mail photos to friends, printing out of photos for albums, or posting images on the Web--compressed images are adequate. Compression casuses a small amount of data loss, how ever. If you need the absolute best-quality images, consider buying a camera that takes uncompressed photos. You'll only be able to fit a few uncompressed images on a memory card, but you'll get the sharpest, clearest, most detailed pictures possible. This feature is deal when you plan on printing your photos.
Computer Connections : Most high-end cameras have software and connections for both Mac and PC Computers, but make sure the digital camera you want is compatible with your platform before you buy it. All consumer digital cameras come with the software
Sensor size : Let's look first at the physical size of CCD or CMOS sensor used to capture your photographs. Although there are slight variations, virtually all DSLR sensors fit into one of three size categories (starting with the largest); Full Frame, APS-C and Four-Thirds. Sensor size isn't as important as some people would have you think, but there are some key differences. The first is what is known as the 'crop factor'. As the diagram below shows, as the sensor gets smaller it captures a smaller area of the scene, resulting in a photograph that looks like it was taken at a longer focal length (1.5x or 1.6x longer for APS-C, 2x for Four-Thirds).
The crop factor isn't a major issue for most users, but it does have important consequences for some. If you're buying a digital SLR to replace a film model because you've got a kit bag full of lenses you need to be aware that unless you buy a full frame model all your lenses will produce very different results on your new camera.
For telephoto shooters the result is quite a bonus, as all your lenses will effectively get even more powerful. On the other hand the crop factor means your wideangle lenses will no longer offer anything like a 'wide' field of view. Fortunately there is a wide range of specially designed 'digital only' lenses for smaller sensor DSLRs.
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| Smaller sensors 'crop' the scene and make a lens appear to have a longer focal length. In certain event, sometimes we shoot a part of an object, smaller sensor has the effect of making their telephoto lenses and zooms even more powerful. |
So which is right for you? Each has its own benefits and each has its limitations, and if you're building a DSLR system from scratch you needn't get too hung up on which is right for you.
The largest (and most expensive) DLSR format is full frame (so called because the sensor is the same size as a frame of 35mm film). DSLRs with full frame sensors have the biggest, brightest viewfinders and because there's no crop factor are often chosen by photographers who are upgrading from a film SLR and already own expensive wideangle lenses. The larger sensor also means that - all other things being equal - full frame cameras will produce the best results in very low light and at higher sensitivities. On the downside, full frame cameras are big and expensive, and there is only a handful of models to choose from. You also lose the focal length 'boost' offered by smaller sensor cameras when shooting with telephotos.
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The larger the sensor the easier it is to get very shallow depth of field effects. The flip side of this is that it can be harder to get everything in focus when you do want to. Overall though, the larger sensors offer more control over depth of field for those that know how to use it. |
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APS-C is by far the most common format, used in virtually all Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony DLSR models. With a crop factor of 1.5x or 1.6x you need special digital lenses to get true wideangle results, but these are readily available and are usually less expensive than their 'full frame' counterparts. The 'kit lens' supplied with most APS-C cameras is a good starting point, offering a versatile zoom range from wideangle to short telephoto.
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| The difference in size and weight between a full frame professional level camera (Nikon D3, left) and a compact entry-level DSLR (Nikon D60, right) is considerable. | The Four Thirds system promises slightly more compact camera bodies and lenses. Four thirds is also the only DSLR system that uses the slightly squarer '4:3' format (as used on virtually all compact digital cameras). |
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