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Buying Guides
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Everything you want and need to know about choosing the right product, simple, easy and straight forward,
without any meaningless tech talk. |
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| Digital Camera Guide |
There are so many models! What do I want?
The first thing you need to ask yourself is: What do you want to do with the photos you intend to take with your digital?
If you ask nothing more from your camera than family snapshots clear enough for viewing on a computer, sending via email,
inserting into greeting cards, or posting on websites, even the lowest resolution camera will work fine, and the lowest currently
around provide VGA resolution, which roughly corresponds to what most computer monitors are capable of displaying anyway. As of the
writing of this guide, several cameras in this VGA resolution range (Under 1 Megapixel) are available as low as $100; even less.
Our digital camera menu makes finding them a snap, as we've cross-grouped all cameras by their resolution range. |
What are Megapixels?
A perfect question to ask before we venture past the VGA cameras. The tiny dots per inch that form the colors making up your image
are represented by the term Pixel. You will see this figure shown either by the horizontal pixels times vertical pixels (For example,
VGA resolution is 640 horizontal dots x 480 vertical dots, or 640x480), or by the sum of those two figures (VGA pixels = 307,200).
Megapixel resolution simply indicates over 1 million pixels within that square inch of space. Even the lowest end "Megapixel" camera,
therefore, will provide over 3 times the clarity of a VGA camera. Just how far do you need to go over a Megapixel? Well, that
depends both on your budget, and on how big you intend to print out your images.
The commonly agreed upon formula for results comparable to professional lab printing is as follows:
- 3.5 x 5 or 4 x 6" prints: 1 megapixel.
- 5 x 7": 2 megapixels.
- 8 x 10": 3 megapixels.
- 9 x 12": 4 megapixels.
- 11 x 14": 5 megapixels.
- 16 x 20": 8 megapixels.
- 20 x 30": 10 megapixels.
In addition, the higher end cameras over 3 megapixels can produce images on maximum resolution settings, or via interpolation
depending on the model, that you can blow up to 20x30", and on a wall behind the glass of a frame, nobody would ever know you
printed it out of your home inkjet printer. Now that we've mentioned printers, we should take a second to discuss them. Many fine
photo quality printers are available now ranging in price from around $100 or less, all the way to 4 figures. As with cameras, how
much you spend depends on how much you want and need from the printer. If all you want are snapshots no larger than 4x6", there are
fine printers designed specifically for this size. For standard 8x10 printing, many of today's lower end inkjets will produce
acceptable home photo prints to share with friends and family. Again, behind the glass of a frame, few will notice any difference
from prints done by pro studios.
We've just cut through the bottom line basics. The rest is all bells, whistles and commentary. Today, virtually all still digital cameras can record video clips, most with audio, some with stereo sound. Many current digital camera models will now record sound enhanced video clips up to the available space on your memory card. Others may have limits, ranging from 15 seconds up to several minutes. In todays world of short attention spans, this still/video combination is excellent for saving those short slices
of life forever. Few guests or relatives will get bored watching 60 second videos of baby's first gurgle or Cindy's first baton
twirling recital. With a normal camcorder, the tendency is to stretch these lovable moments far beyond their tolerable welcome. With
a still/video snippet, you can send your loved ones only the cream of the moment by email, or even post them to a webpage for viewing.
The next important facet to think about is removable memory. All but the lowest end models out today include slots for one type of
memory chip or another. Memory card types have varied through the years, from the standard 3.5" floppy disk employed by the pioneer Sony Mavica digital cameras, and the all-but-phased-out Smart Media cards used by older Minolta and Olympus models, to Compact Flash, Sd Secure Digital, Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Duo, MMC (MultiMediaCard) and even CDs and DVDs. Memory capacity has ranged from the paltry 1.44 Megabytes of a Mavica floppy, to the now standard 1,2 and 4 gigabytes commonly used with many SD card compatible compacts, to nearly 20 gigabytes now available for use on the higher end Compact Flash compatible digital cameras. |
So how much memory, if any, do I need? I don't want to be sold a whole bunch of nonsense that's only going to jack up my bill!
The first thing is to think of your removable memory as you did film. Way back when, or perhaps still today, you wouldn't go on a trip, or to a gathering or event intending to shoot photos with a film based camera without
packing a certain number of rolls of film to shoot. Given that typical 35mm film rolls provide 24 to 36 exposures, how many shots do
you want to make sure you can take before you run out of memory and need to download either what's stored on board your camera, or on
whatever card(s) you brought with you?
How many shots per megabyte you can fit on a memory card/disk depends mostly on the resolution you shoot at. With the lower resolution
digital camera of yore, that was not a complicated thing to figure out. With higher end models, you have the choice of using the highest resolution of
course, but can also shoot at any number of lower resolutions. Which you shoot at depends on what you intend to do with the shots. To
blow your images up for photo quality printing, you need to shoot at high resolutions. If your shooting will be indoors, or anywhere
within close proximity to a download destination such as your computer, then you may be able to get away without more than one memory
card. For most people purchasing a new digital camera, an investment in at least 2 1 to 2 gigabyte cards, or a 2 or 4 gigabyte card, is the minimum that they should provide themselves with. If purchasing a lower end camera whose specifications indicate incompatibility with cards over 2 gigabytes, you should keep at least a couple of 2 gigabyte cards, or the maximum size card the camera will handle, on hand. Memory cards now come in all sizes physically speaking, never mind the capacity, ranging from the tiny XD and SD Mini up to the larger Compact Flash and Microdrive cards, for which more choices in speed and larger capacities are generally available. Some digital cameras take more than one type, ie: XD and SD, or SD and Compact Flash. |
Okay, okay. Just tell me what I need to buy.
Relax. This is not as expensive as you fear. Here is a rough "Worst Case" formula, if you will be shooting at high resolution.
- At VGA, a 512 MB card stores up to 960 shots.
- At 1 megapixel, a 1 GB card stores up to 960 shots.
- At 2 megapixels, a 1 GB card stores up to 470 shots.
- At 3 megapixels, a 1 GB card stores up to 333 shots.
- At 4 megapixels, a 1 GB card stores up to 250 shots.
- At 5 megapixels, a 1 GB card stores up to 200 shots.
- At 6 megapixels, a 1 GB card stores up to 166 shots.
- At 7 megapixels, a 2 GB card stores up to 286 shots.
- At 8 megapixels, a 2 GB card stores up to 250 shots.
- At 10 megapixels, a 2 GB card stores up to 200 shots.
- At 12 megapixels, a 2 GB card stores up to 166 shots.
Given that 1 roll of film usually got you no more than 24 to 36 shots, even a low capacity memory card can go a long way, plus your memory card can be used over and over, especially if you also purchase and use a portable multi-gigabyte memory card compatible hard drive storage device, like the Nikon Coolwalker, that enables you to download, empty and reuse your memory card while on the go.
Another major factor today in what capacity card, or how many memory cards, to purchase are the video clips you plan to take. Even a very short, middling resolution video can eat up a lot of card space. A 2 minute video clip can easily eat up 35 MB of space, a small amount out of the 2 gigabytes a 2 GB card provides, but frequent use of the addictive video mode on most cameras can quickly fill even a high capacity card, especially when a camera places no other limits on movie length. |
You mentioned extra batteries. Where is that leading us?
Digital cameras require more power than their older film counterparts. They do and show alot more. Most digital cameras have large LCD
displays allowing you to skip having to squint through tiny optical viewfinders when composing shots. Most also allow instant
playback or reviewing shots taken, giving you the opportunity to erase lousy shots right away. For those cameras using AA's, the best
rule of thumb, worst case scenario given, is that even high capacity rechargeable batteries will last 30 minutes of continuous, high
demand use, assuming you constantly zoom and adjust the lens, and have the LCD on. To rely on standard Alkalines for this is foolish.
Just a few minutes of heavy use will drain them. Even the equipment makers will suggest you get Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeables,
known popularly as NiMHs. Most cameras take 4 AA size NiMHs. The minimum we would recommend is getting a set of them with charger,
and a spare set of NiMH batteries alone for switching off while the first set recharges, or until you can get it recharged. As with
memory, you won't suffer from having more than you end up needing. Sooner or later, you will be very thankful if you're carrying a
third set. All the gigabytes worth of removable memory and whiz bang special effects features won't be worth a nickel if you are out
in the field and run out of battery power. |
What about warranty coverage? Salesmen are always trying to sell me extended warranty service. What do I get standard, and why would I need more?
Digital cameras are not just complicated electronic devices; they are also by their very nature subject to an incredible amount of
handling, and exposure to all kinds of conditions. Do we make money selling extended coverage? Of course we do, but nowhere near what
a repair service will charge for the tiniest adjustments, cleanings or parts replacements the moment your original warranty expires.
Few, if any, manufacturers cover the original purchase for more than a year, and many only cover the labor for 3 months. Considering
the overall investment and what you probably know of general electronics reliability from your present powered possessions ranging
from your toaster oven to your VCR to your automobile, can you not see the value in adding some extra protection for your hard earned
purchase? Nobody spends hundreds of dollars, or even thousands, for something that they intend to junk in a couple of years. Your
purchase now will likely be for the long haul. We still want you happy with both your purchase and your experience with us four years
from now, let alone tomorrow. The best way we can ensure that is providing extended warranty coverage to cover your camera from
unforseen defect repairs for as long as possible. Extended coverage plans range from 3 to 5 years, depending on the value of the
product. The descriptions on our site for every camera qualifying for such coverage, list the applicable plan below the specifications,
along with most other important options, such as the aforementioned memory cards and batteries.
We've now covered the essentials. Whatever else you might decide to purchase is up to you. We make out suggestions, listing the most
popular or needed add-ons below our camera descriptions, all grouped categorically. Alot of folks, anxious to avoid paying more than
they've seen a bare camera advertised for, steadfastly ignore any accessories, figuring that the store just wants to mark up their
final total. In some cases that is unfortunately true, but that is NEVER the case here. We place the offers before you, tell you what
they are and what they do, but the decision is yours. You want just the camera and whatever the factory packs with it, that's what you
will get. Some accessories, however, make life, and the enjoyment and full use of your investment, alot easier and far more enjoyable.
Let's take a second and go through a short list of things some people might consider "non-essential" or even utterly unecessary. |
Tripods/Supports:
The first "non-essential" is usually a tripod, and you need not go whole hog for a multi-hundred dollar set of legs when your camera
is relatively lightweight and compact. We always present a choice, ranging in price, beneath each camera. Especially for those who
want to be able to get into timer activated family group shots, or those who do alot of outdoor or studio shooting, at least some
measure of support is necessary. Many tripods today are very light weight and unobtrusive, plus they have their own optional
accessories that make carrying them alot easier. |
Cleaning equipment:
How many shots have been ruined because dust, dirt or elements got onto the glass surface of people's lenses, we couldn't begin to
tell you. Many of our employees are into photography, some doing professional work on the side, others experienced amateurs, and every
one of them has suffered at various times from overlooking some little regarded tool that could have saved them an inordinate amount
of grief in the field, or on a shoot. You will always find various cleaning supplies listed among the suggested general accessories.
Having a little can of compressed air spray, or a lens cleaning cloth can be the difference between a trip being wasted or not. Your
camera lens is not window glass; you just can't spit or blow breath onto it and wipe it with your sleeve. Your camera's optics are
actually the most complex and expensive elements in your camera, no matter what other features it employs. Treat it with the proper
equipment and care, and it will provide you with the best results it is designed to deliver. |
Lens filters and attachments:
Speaking of dust and dirt, not to mention damage, nothing prevents more heartache in photography than a lens filter. For those cameras
whose lenses are designed to accept optional attachments, it is nothing short of foolish to forego at the very least, a basic
protective filter to protect not only the lens from dirt, dust, drops and fingerprints, but to protect the elements inside your camera
from ultraviolet sunlight. For cameras where your eye is looking through the lens, like SLRs and ZLRs, the most important function of
such "UV" or "Skylight" filters is to protect your eyes against the ultraviolet light. The second most important filter is a circular
polarizer, which performs the same function as sunglasses do for your eyes, plus cutting glare so you can shoot through glass or water,
and improve contrast, especially for landscapes with lots of sky. Third and fourth are basic color enhancement filters, such as
Tiffen's 812 fleshtone enhancer and their Enhancing filter, which excels at making fall foliage spring to life right out of your
print or monitor. For portraits that compliment rather than insult, an 812 is essential, while the Enhancing filter can be compared
to your favorite spice used at dinnertime. You've already spent so much for the camera, but as good as it is, it cannot make artistic
decisions. Ultimately, if left to its own naked devices, even the best lens can only read what nature throws in front of it. These
filters level the playing field and let you bring out the otherwise unseen best that nature and your loved ones have to offer. |
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