Blog about Digital Cameras
[08/11/2010] Buying a Digital Camera - Tips For First Time Buyers
When buying a new digital camera, take the time to not only read the manufacturer’s specifications, but also to find out if they represent the camera’s true capabilities. Quite often cameras are advertised with high resolution, which is achieved via interpolation and “total zoom,” which does not give you the desired magnification that you might be looking for. Listed below are some of the features that you should look into before partying with your hard-earned cash:
- Check the zoom factor – if the specs mention “total,” or “combined” zoom, then find out how much of that number is the actual optical zoom. The optical zoom is the one that matters, as the digital zoom is a “guesswork” that normally results in photos with poorer quality. A 12x total zoom might be a combination of 3x optical and 4x digital zoom and it is up to you to decide if a 3x optical zoom camera is what you wish to spend your money on.
- Check if the camera comes with manual settings – a camera that allows the photographer to manually select at least some of its settings gives that photographer better control over the outcome. The vast majority of the digital cameras come with Auto mode, which allows the users to point and shoot without having to worry about ISO, exposure, or white balance, but the Auto mode might not always produce high quality photos. A user who wishes to take clear photos in challenging lighting conditions and in different shooting situations, should consider a more expensive digital camera with a number of manual settings.
- Body only – if you are on the market for a digital SLR camera, then you should be aware that when such camera is advertised as “body only,” then you would have to purchase at least one lens for the camera in order to be able to use it. The DSLR cameras work with interchangeable lenses and since these cameras are either professional or semi-professional, the lenses do not come cheap either. If you see a DSLR camera advertised online or in an offline shop with no lens mentioned, then assume that this is a “body only” camera and you have to account for the cost of at least one lens as well.
- Higher resolution digital cameras might come with a number of “hidden costs” – well, these are not costs that the manufacturers intentionally hide from the users, but rather extras that you might need to account for when purchasing such cameras. Compact or digital SLR cameras that support high resolution JPEG or RAW file formats would definitely need larger storage and this typically means that the user has to purchase larger external memory card. Working with big RAW files would also require faster computers, which means better processor, high quality video card, larger computer memory, bigger hard drive, or all of the above.
Other articles from this category:
[24/10/2010] Buying Used Cameras
[24/10/2010] Holiday Digital Camera Buying Guide
[24/10/2010] Digital Cameras for Kids
[06/11/2010] My Digital Cameras Keep Becoming Obsolete!
[06/11/2010] Purchasing Via an Auction? High Feedback Ratings Aren't All Legitimate
[06/11/2010] Be Careful When Buying Package Deals
[06/11/2010] Two Considerations when Buying a New Camera
[06/11/2010] Be Careful with Very Cheap Prices
[08/11/2010] Before You Purchase a New Digital Camera
[08/11/2010] Buying a Digital Camera
[08/11/2010] Consider the Total Cost of Ownership
[08/11/2010] Use Comparative Shopping Search Engines
[08/11/2010] Set a Budget Before Buying
[09/11/2010] Buying a Digital Camera - Important Features to Look For
[09/11/2010] Consider a Weatherproof Camera
