Tips For Buying a Digital Camera

Family and friends can be pretty far flung these days, so how do you keep in touch? Snail mail and phoning are good options, but it's fun to be able to share pictures. With the advent of digital cameras, it's easy to post pictures on a blog or website, or send pictures via email.

Of course, film cameras will work, as you can scan and convert pictures to digital files, but the easiest way to send pictures quickly and cheaply is to use a digital camera.

How To Find What's Best For YOU When Buying A Digital Camera

There are all kinds of digital cameras available these days, so the trick is to find the one that suits your needs and budget. If you are buying your first digital camera, the lingo and technology are a bit different than for film cameras, so before shopping take time to learn a little and figure out what you'd like to buy.

First, what kind of photographer are you? Do you like total control over the picture taking process, or would you rather just aim the camera and push the shutter button? Then it's also helpful to decide what you want to do with your pictures. Do you just want to put them online or send them via email, or do you want to be able to print them, and if so, how large do you want your prints?

If photography isn't your passion, and you just want to have pictures to share, buying a simple point-and-shoot digital camera is probably best. It has automatic settings, so all you have to do is aim the camera, press the shutter and viola! Instant picture!

However, if you prefer more control over the picture taking process, try buying a mid-range digital camera. There is a wide range in both price and features. For the more serious hobby photographer, there are "prosumer" cameras midway between point-and-shoot cameras and digital SLR cameras. They offer better lens quality and usually more features than a point-and-shoot, though those little cameras can come pretty loaded these days!

Digital SLR cameras are top of the line and more expensive. These work more like traditional cameras, having a body with detachable lens. This gives you more options with being able to change lens, but it's also much more expensive. Just one lens can cost as much as a point-and-shoot digital camera! There's also usually a steeper learning curve to figure out how to use all the options on a digital SLR camera.

However, if you're buying your first digital camera, intermediate, "prosumer" and digital SLR cameras probably aren't the best choice. All the settings and features can be a little overwhelming for the beginner, and your expensive camera may end up collecting dust somewhere. Try a low to midrange camera first and get a feel for digital cameras and what features are most important to you. Then when you're ready to move up and buy a Digital SLR, you'll have a better idea of what to look for before you lay out your hard earned cash!

What To Look For When You're Ready To Buy A Digital Camera

You can buy digital cameras in all sorts of places these days, from fancy department stores to discount stores, photography/camera shops and many stores online. While you can sometimes find great deals on-line, if this is your first digital camera, go to shops and look at different cameras if at all possible. It helps to pick it up and get the feel of the camera in your hand to see if it's comfortable and the controls are easy to use, and you can check out what features it has and how they work.

But what exactly are you looking for?

A pixel makes your picture....

One of the first things to check out when buying a digital camera is the MEGAPIXELS. A pixel is a single dot in a graphics image. A megapixel is equivalent to one million pixels. A 1-megapixel camera would produce an image roughly 1200 pixels wide by 900 pixels high, a 3 megapixel would be 2048 x 1536 megapixels, and so on. Higher megapixels mean better resolution, but aren't the whole picture. The main thing to keep in mind is the more megapixels, the bigger image you can print.

Approximate Megapixels vs. Print Size

-2 Megapixels prints well up to 4x6 inches

-3 Megapixels prints well up to 5x7 inches

-4 Megapixels prints well up to 6x8 inches

-6 Megapixels prints well up to 7x10 inches

-8 Megapixels prints well up to 10x14 inches

-12 Megapixels prints well up to 16x24 inches

For email, websites and printing snapshots, a 3 to 5-megapixel camera is a good choice. If you want to make high quality 8x10 prints or larger, you need more megapixels. Higher megapixels also allow you to crop down to a smaller portion of the picture while still retaining sharpness in prints.

One other thing to keep in mind when considering megapixels and resolution, be sure you are getting optical resolution. This is the actual number of megapixels the camera records. Some cameras offer interpolated resolution to get bigger pictures from the same number of megapixels by using software algorithms to determine what color pixels to add, so the picture becomes bigger at the expense of clarity.

Opt for optical...

Digital cameras have two kinds of zoom, optical and digital. In this case, focus on the optical zoom. It's the one that actually uses the lens' optics to bring the subject closer. The higher the number, the further away you can "pull in" your subject. The digital zoom merely takes the original information and makes it bigger, and once again, clarity is sacrificed. Most serious photographers turn off digital zoom. Stick to optical!

For Your Viewing Pleasure...

Digital cameras commonly use an LCD screen instead of a viewfinder to focus on your subject, though some come equipped with both. Check the size of the screen when buying a digital camera to be sure you can comfortably see your subject. It's also really handy to have a flip screen that allows you to hold your camera low or high, and still be able to see what's on the screen.

Fun features...

Many digital cameras offer settings for such things as burst shooting mode, which is handy if you want to take pictures of moving subjects. The camera shoots a series of pictures without pause, then writes the files to memory. Other features allow for manually changing settings, special effects, short digital movie files, using an external flash, and much more. Look over several different cameras, decide what features you just have to have, and which are on the "nice to have but not vital" list. No one camera will do everything well.

Get the Picture...

You've got to get the pictures out of the camera to share them. Usually the files are downloaded to your computer through a USB port, so make sure your computer has one. Also, keep in mind when choosing a camera, the more megapixels, the bigger the files. You've got to store those files somewhere, so how much memory is available on your computer? Does it have a CD burner?

However, you can still buy a digital camera even if you don't have a computer. Many photo labs, even in places like Walmart or Kmart, have machines with the capability of making prints and/or photo CD's from memory cards, and will make a disk of the files, sort of like digital negatives. There's also the option of buying a photo printer with a docking station for your camera. Just plug the camera into the docking station, and bypass the need for a computer to print.

Cash After Camera

When buying your digital camera, keep some cash in reserve, because there are two more important purchases you need to make.

1. Memory - The digital camera's equivalent of film, the amount of memory determines how many pictures you can take. Different cameras use different types of memory, so the first step is to find out what your camera uses. The most popular types are: Secure Digital (SD), CompactFlash (CF), SmartMedia (SM), Memory Stick (MS), MultiMediaCard (MMC), and xD-Picture Card (xD).

Cameras are usually packaged with a small MB-sized card. A second card of 64 MB is good, but of course the more MB and the more cards, the more pictures you can take before having to download and erase the images. The different cards are NOT interchangeable, so be sure to buy the right kind for your camera!

2. Battery - There's nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of snapping pictures and the battery dies. Get extras. It's worth the expense to have a second battery charged and waiting should the one in your camera lose power. The rechargeable ones are more expensive, but the ability to use them over and over makes them worth the initial outlay of cash.

That's The Total Package!

There you have the basics for choosing a digital camera. Decide what kind of pictures you are likely to take, what size prints you want to make, how much zoom, and are there any extras you can't live without? Look for the camera that most closely matches your list in your price range, buy a bigger memory card and an extra battery set, and you're good to go!

Have fun sharing those pictures with friends and family!

How Digital Camera Ratings Can Assist You?

Digital slr camera ratings keep consumers current on the constant changes in these great products. The digital cameras seem to improve in many ways. Without the digital camera ratings it would be difficult to know about all of the great products on the market.

What is Digital SLR?

Digital SLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR). Basically Digital SLR uses an automatic mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens through the viewfinder. This helps in capturing nice image.

Difference between Point And Shoot Camera and Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras

Digital SLR's are for the serious hobbyist and professional photographer who want total control over each picture With point and shoot digital cameras, you do not have to worry about focusing as everything is done automatically. You also do not have to fuss with adjusting the color or lighting as most point and shoot digital cameras automatically will flash as needed.

In addition, point and shoot digitals hook up easily to the computer, even without software in most cases, although the cameras do come with it. Basically, the point and shoots are just easy to use and there is not too much you have to think about - just point and click!.

Why to consult digital camera ratings?

Because of the variety and the technicalities available in digital slr cameras, it is better to check the ratings before you buy. A digital camera is great for so many occasions, but there was a time not long ago when the cameras did not provide the best quality images available.

Now even many of the professional photographers use the digital cameras, and many of them consult the digital camera ratings before making their purchases.

What are the Basis of these rating?

Digital slr camera ratings can be based on many factors;

1)There are some Digital slr camera ratings that are based on the most popular models with the consumers. These ratings can be most reliable because most people carefully study the products before they buy.

2)Ratings based on positive and negative details of each digital camera on the list.

3)There are some services which provide detailed descriptions from customers who recently purchased the different models. These customer descriptions can be very helpful to those looking to purchase a new camera.

4)Rating based on Best Price

Other points to consider

The Digital slr camera ratings will provide information on the quality of the pictures produced by each product. You should consider all of this information when making their purchase of a digital camera.

There are some facilities in a camera that might increase the price but are not needed by each customer. You could save some money by excluding some facilities when buying a camera. Digital cameras are usually great tools for recording special memories and many other purposes.

Mark Roberts Blog For Digital Cameras, Drivers and Webcam is Digital Camera Drivers Webcam. His other blogs about Perfume is Cool Nice Perfume Gift And Beauty Tips blog is Beauty Tips [http://queencare.blogspot.com/]

Digital Camera Basics - Valuable Tips You Need to Know in Order to Find the Best Digital Cameras

In this article I'll show you some valuable strategies that you might use to find the best camera.

The first thing you should know is that digital cameras do not take pictures on film, but rather take pictures on what is known as a compact flashcard or as it's known by some people (professionals) a "mini hard disk.

A camera (digital) captures images in electronic form, which means that the language used is recognized by computers. This language is called pixels, small colored dots represented by ones and zeros that make up the image you've just captured.

Camera basic features: One of the most important basic features that a digital camera should have in order to be in the best category is the resolution (mega pixels). If it is higher, the real picture will come out better.

Digital camera lens - basics

To better understand what is the importance of lenses, let me compare the camera lens with a motor vehicle. If the engine is more powerful, the car will go faster.

Just like any conventional cameras, a camera (digital) is equipped with a series of lenses that can focus the light and creates the image that you want to capture. The difference is that a conventional camera focuses its light on a film while a digital camera focuses the light into a semiconductor device that electronically records the light.

One of the most important photography basics tip I can give you right now is that you must be focused on the camera's lenses. Different types of lenses exists on the market, ranging manual to auto focusing, from wide angle to telephoto and macro lenses.

When shopping for the best camera, take note of what I'm going to say next:

Choose a camera with better digital zoom. The digital zoom of the camera will enable to take the pixels from the image sensor and incorporate them to make an image.

You should always opt for rechargeable batteries, because they always come in handy, plus you don't waste as much money as on the disposable ones.

Make sure that it is compatible with your PC, laptop, palmtop or whatever your local picture printer software is. You don't want to go running around the whole state or the country looking for a computer that's compatible with your camera, won't you?

Take the time to look for some digital camera reviews.

For the past few years many people have asked me what are the best Nikon and Canon digital camera basics. On my site: "photo digital cameras" I have quality reviews about that.

The key point to find the best camera is to find the one that will best fit you and your lifestyle. You know what I mean, don't you?

You don't want to buy a DSLR and use it on your home activities or family outgoing and be forced to lug it around. Or you don't want to buy the latest point and shoot camera when you're serious about being a professional photographer.

Now, at the end of this article I just want to say that camera(digital) is so great that it is quickly replacing all conventional cameras in the market. With all its technology and portability, truly the digital camera is the future of cameras.

Stop and take a look on photo digital cameras website to discover digital camera basics and tips such as DSLR basics, powershot basics, digital camera ratings and much more...

Here's a fact for you: Any man, woman can flip through my website pages and find complete reviews in order to find which is the best camera for them. Use this digital camera basics and tips wisely.

The choice is yours!
Go to http://www.photodigitalcameras.com, opt in for my free weekly newsletter and in 2 minutes you'll learn powerful camera reviews and ratings.

Knowing what Digital Camera Accessories you Need

Capturing a moment is best done with photography and in this time and age, the best option for this is through digital photography using a digital camera. Whether you are the type of person that is into photography or simply someone fascinated with capturing the beauty of certain views, then with a digital camera you will be able to tell the story of a moment that cannot be brought back. Digital photography allows you to touch many lives through the images of beauty and art which you are able to capture and be able to store electronically. It may perhaps be an option for others to be a profession and this could profession could even bring a lucrative compensation should you decide to take this path.

Living in today's high-tech world allows us to make use of the digital camera technology making it easier for us to shoot pictures on the go and be able to have them available in less time and with the use of digital camera accessories be able to improve or enhance the quality and experience of digital photography. The digital camera accessories available today as tools makes it better choice for us to invest in them especially if this becomes a hobby or a profession.

The Basic Necessities for Capturing the Moment

It doesn't really matter whether or not you do photography for profit or simply for leisure, it is probable that the next best equipment you need to invest in other than a nice new digital SLR camera are the digital camera accessories that you will use along with it. There are various types of digital camera accessories available that you may either need immediately or would need in the future which would help you with keeping your equipment in good shape, improve the quality of your photos, add additional capacity to your work output, reduce the complexities or simply just enhance your own photography experience. Some of the digital camera accessories may include any of the following and depending on your needs may even be further augmented as the need arises:

Camera Bags

The first probable investment being the camera bag, this is where you will place all the things that you will need when you are location shooting or traveling and it would also serve as your basic kit where all your photography equipment is stored and protected well. It is also one of the most inexpensive accessories that you may ever buy and add to this is that they enable you carry and protect the expensive equipment that you carry around. Camera bags come in many different shapes, sizes and colors through a wide variety of different brand names that specialize in this, and they are available for anyone's personal preference.

Camera Tripod

Of the camera accessories, perhaps the camera tripod is one that will help a lot of people since it helps reduce the amount of "camera shakes" when taking photos and allows you to take shots from a variety of angles. While does seem that this is a bulky and cumbersome accessory you should know that a great majority of tripods are either foldable or retractable and should be able to fit in most of the medium size to larger camera bags. If you happen to have one of the older tripods which you have used for your traditional cameras, then you should be ware that some of them are actually compatible with today's digital cameras and you may not need to re-invest in a new camera tripod. Just the ability to have steadier shot and a finer finished product is a must for many and this makes the camera tripod a great digital camera accessory to have and perhaps even a necessity for some.

Battery Chargers

For people who take vacations and for those that visit remote locations without the convenience or availability of digital camera accessories shops, the use of a battery charger is important. Even if you carry with you extra batteries sometimes these batteries just all of a sudden get drained and you are left with no power to your digital camera thereby rendering them useless. Having a battery charger is very handy in some situations and this may be the difference in being able to take that critical photo should the need arise. Being extremely affordable, it should be considered whenever deciding to but that those additional digital camera accessories on your next shopping spree.

Memory Cards

The memory card for a digital camera is perhaps the most important digital camera accessory for many as akin to a traditional camera that needs film, a digital camera needs memory for storage of images. Most people take this likely since the capacity of the memory cards they purchase with their digital camera is sometimes sufficient, it should however be known that some people do not delete or transfer the contents of the memory to other devices like PC's and in some cases the memory becomes full. Having that extra memory card with you will help reduce this from happening and will also be of great assistance during times when a large volume of photos need to be taken especially for professionals and for those that take a vacation in remote places where they are unable to transfer the images, and with no shops readily available in the vicinity.

You never know when your existing memory card will fail so keeping an extra card can pay dividends when the time comes. Just be aware though of what type of memory card your digital camera uses as there are various types of cards available for different digital cameras such as SD cards and Sony memory sticks. You don't want to buy a memory card that is not compatible to your digital camera.

Other Important Accessories

Lastly, one of the digital camera accessories that you may want to have is the digital photo printer, which is especially useful if you want to print your photos from the comfort of your home. Most locals now have photo shops that can process the printing of your digital images but for some the ability be able to print from home or from anywhere, then a photo printer is a must. All you will really need is to have printing consumables always available, your personal choice of photo paper such as matte or gloss and you will be able to print off any photo you want, at the sizes and quality you need. Most of the printers in the market today are already of photo output quality and the choice these days is what size of footprint you want, depending on your needs i.e. if you travel a lot then perhaps a small size printer will be best for you.

Conclusion

Whether you are a professional photographer or just enjoy taking pictures, you should be fully aware of the various digital camera accessories that are available in the market that can perhaps help you reduce the amount of effort in your profession or simply improve your photography experience. Some of these accessories can be expensive but a majority of them are indeed quite affordable and for many are in fact a necessity, and by being able to to have them can sometimes make the difference of being able to have that all important and perhaps even life changing moment captured. Availability for most of the accessories for your digital camera is in most cases excellent with a great number of electronic equipment shops in most locals and not to forget the growth of internet shops that specialize in providing thee services.

As a final note, even if the requirement for digital camera accessories is not for you, then perhaps someone you know such as family and friends has these needs and this actually makes for great gifts on special occasions like birthdays. Anyone with a digital camera will be more than happy to receive these accessories as gifts and this should give you more options when giving away gifts this Christmas or any other occasion during the year.

Luvi Marie Corcuera is a full time Mom and works part time as the Editor of Informational sites such as: Acne Treatment [http://www.acnehealthguide.com] and Cake Decoration

What Digital Camera To Buy? Tips To Help You Decide

Digital cameras are available in a variety of different sizes, colors, brands, zooms, resolutions, etc. The features are endless. There are so many features available in today's cameras that many first time buyers become overwhelmed and have no clue what digital camera to buy.

So what should a beginner digital photographer look for when buying their first digital camera?

In order to answer this question let us pose a few more:

WHAT KIND OF PICTURES WILL YOU BE TAKING?

This is an important first step in deciding what digital camera to buy. If you are planning on becoming a professional photographer and will be taking high quality shots to possibly sell, any old digital camera will not do. You will have to pay careful attention to the types of features you will need like resolution, megapixels, zooming, etc.

If you are a casual photographer and simply want a descent camera to share with friends and family then you may not need a bunch of fancy gadgets and features.

WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?

No matter what your needs and wants are as a photographer your finances will ultimately dictate what type of camera you can afford. Set a budget and stick to it.

WHAT RESOURCES WILL YOU NEED?

Depending on the digital camera that you purchase, you may need additional resources to use it to its full potential. If you plan on doing any photo editing or printing, you will need a computer and a printer that is compatible with your camera and software. The editing software is usually included with your digital camera but other devices like memory cards are usually not.

WHAT RESOLUTION WILL YOU REQUIRE ON YOUR CAMERA?

Before you buy your first digital camera make sure you learn more about its capacity to produce high quality images. This is determined by the number of megapixels the camera has. The more pixels, the higher the resolution. This is important because you want your images to retain their quality when you enlarge them.

HOW MUCH MEMORY WILL YOU NEED?

You will need a memory card for your digital camera in order to store your pictures. When you buy a digital camera, make sure it has a card slot for external and additional memory. This allows you to change full memory cards conveniently while shooting your pictures.

WHAT ABOUT THE LOOK AND FEEL OF YOUR CAMERA?

Buy a camera that you are comfortable holding while taking pictures. So before you actually purchase your digital camera, make certain that you actually pick up and test each camera. Consider where the buttons are located and how they are spaced out and see also if you feel comfortable using the view finder. See how heavy it feels around your neck as well.

WHAT ABOUT THE BATTERY LIFE OF YOUR CAMERA?

Digital cameras use up battery life rather quickly and batteries are not exactly cheap. Make sure you purchase a camera that uses rechargeable batteries, this way you can get multiple usage out of your batteries. Take also into consideration an AC adapter when you buy a digital camera. You can attach this to the camera when you are viewing your pictures or uploading them.

WHAT ABOUT THE LCD SCREEN?

The LCD is a small screen usually located on the back of the camera. You can use the LCD screen instead of looking through the traditional tiny viewer. The LCD screen also enables you to preview pictures that you have already taken. There is a drawback to using an LCD screen however, as it does use up a lot of battery power.

DO YOU NEED ANY SPECIAL FEATURES?

You should consider whether or not you will need any special features on your camera. This all depends on what type of pictures you plan on taking. If you want your camera to have good zooming capabilities, you can opt for those with optical zoom lenses. Other features such as remote control, tripods, etc. can also be considered when you buy a digital camera. Be careful though. The more features you have on a digital camera, the more difficult it will be to figure out and use.

With this information I do hope you will be able to figure out what you need before you buy your digital camera. I feel the most important thing is to be patient. Take your time shopping and researching. Learn everything there is to know about the features of digital cameras and what you really need.

Once you narrow down your choices to a few different models, look for the best possible price. There are many different camera sellers online and off. But don't buy a digital camera from just anyone. Make sure the seller has a good customer service history as well as good prices. Best of luck in figuring out what digital camera to buy!

Ralph Serpe is an avid digital photographer and artist. He has created a number of websites on the arts:

Click here for more free online digital photography tutorials.

Click here for free art lessons on a variety of other mediums like oil painting, watercolor and more!

Capturing Special Moments With A Digital Camera

There are millions of people around the world who share a keen interest in photography. The charm of capturing a moment in a camera is truly amazing. Probably, this is one of the strongest reasons why a growing number of people are joining the cult of professional photographic pursuit. Traditionally, taking photographs, film processing and developing them in the dark room was a painfully long process. But as digital technology evolved, it enabled camera manufacturing companies to come up with high-end digital cameras.

Digital cameras are an ideal gadget for taking pictures without having to worry about running out of snaps of roll which is the case with the traditional film cameras. This apart, there is no need of having to wait till the entire roll of film gets used just to find the blown-up pictures in the dark room. Digital cameras allow you to take any number of photographs and see each one of them right after you take them. Also you can connect your camera to the USB port of you Personal Computer and store your snaps there in a folder. What is more is that you can customize each photograph, thru software, just the way like it. In case, you want to take a hard-copy of the pictures, you can always use the printer to get your favorite photograph printed out.

Buying a digital camera is a matter of serious deliberation. Since different brands of companies are offering cameras with special features, you have be aware of the standard features of the digital cameras in order to be able to make the right purchase. The following are some of the must-know tips that you should be familiar with before you swipe you credit card in a digital camera kiosk of a shopping mall or punch in the CVV number in the box while shopping online for a captivating camera.

Price Range:

The price of digital photographic cameras can usually range anything from US$100 to $1000. If you are buying a digital compact camera for the first time, then don`t go for an expensive one. It is quite easy to get tempted into spending a lot of money to buy a digital SLR camera offering features that are just of no use to you. Get to know your needs and settle for a prudent purchase. Ensure that the digital camera you pick should be light-weighted and easy-to-use. Later on, after you learn the basics of digital camera photograph, you may opt for an high-end edition.

Features:

The standard features of digital cameras of all make are almost similar except for some special features introduced by some renowned brands in the market. Features such as zoom, automatic functions, special effects, black & white images and video recording facilities are usually offered by most brands. However, as a prudent buyer you have be careful of the claims some manufactures might be making. For instance, the feature of digital zoom magnifications may not actually live up to your expectation level if you are hoping to get the optimal clarity especially if you are aiming at say 8x10 or larger size photos. Do not be tempted by the flashy promotional gimmickry of the brands. Consider the features keeping your pre-established price range in mind.

Lens:

All digital cameras provide two types of zoom features: optical and digital. While the optical zoom feature is based on the lens magnification and gives you images with a sharp and crystal-clear clarity, digital zoom relies on the magnification of the digital image which results in less sharp and fuzzy images. Make sure that the digital camera you buy should at least have the optical zoom features. However, as mentioned earlier, you have to be careful of the digital zoom magnification claim. You can look for digital cameras having lens auto focus and image stabilization features.

Image Resolution:

Image Resolution or Pixel Resolution is one of the most striking features of digital cameras. For personal and email purpose digital cameras having 2.0 mega pixels will deliver clear photos. However, many manufactures are now offering digital cameras with 8.0 and above mega pixels. You get better and clearer images with higher mega pixels. High mega pixel resolution plays a key role in image enlargement. So if size matters to you, consider this aspect seriously.

Battery Type and Longevity:

If you are likely to use the digital camera for outdoor activities, it is important to consider how long the built-in batteries will last. Even if you think of using some extra rechargeable batteries, just make sure whether the digital camera you are buying support the same batteries.

LCD Screen:

Every digital camera has the LCD Screen feature. Just make sure that the screen size should be at least 2 inches or above. It will give you better and clear images.

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Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for www.PoloMercantil.com.br

Digital Cameras In Todays Society

Digital cameras have become mainstream cameras because they are extremely easy to use and offer a host of wonderful features. Digital cameras connect to PC via USB so you can transfer your photos easily for archiving, editing, and printing. Digital cameras make it easy to share pictures both online and in print. Digital cameras with resolution in the four to five megapixel range are capable of producing professional-quality images.

Cameras

The major advantage of digital cameras is the ability to take multiple pictures at no extra cost and then printing only the best ones. Cameras meant for automatic point-and-shoot photos, with a 3x zoom lens, will serve casual shooters as well as dedicated hobbyists much of the time. Digital cameras with less than one megapixel are inexpensive, but they usually lack key features. Cameras with higher resolutions of 7, 8, 10 or even more megapixels give you the latitude to create large reprints, or to crop and manipulate images with photo-editing software without degrading them. All digital cameras have a built-in computer, and all of them record images electronically. Since film still provides better picture quality, digital cameras have not completely replaced conventional cameras. All the fun and interesting features of digital cameras come as a direct result of striving to improve customer needs for high quality, low cost photos.

Images

Images are made up of tiny cells (also called pixels). Images taken at higher resolutions will look much clearer and sharper when printed, and large prints will look better. You can even select only the best and copy them from your computer back onto the camera's storage device so you can give an edited slide show of just the best images. Once images are in digital form, you can start to take pieces from various images and paste them into other images. Digital photography now makes it possible to put all of your images on the Web and bore the entire world instead of just your friends and family. One nice thing about digital cameras is that you can show your images on a TV set.

Memory

Memory Most digital cameras support some type of removable memory card for storing your images. You should buy as large a memory card as your camera can accept, as the memory cards that are included with the cameras are usually not nearly big enough to hold a good number of high quality pictures. Two popular memory card types are CompactFlash and SmartMedia cards. Both types of memory are similar in price and performance but CompactFlash cards are more widely used. How many pictures will fit in the memory. The exact number depends on the size of the memory card (or other type of storage used), the camera's resolution, the compression quality setting, the exact type of camera, and even the type of pictures taken. If you can't fit enough pictures in the memory, you should buy a higher capacity memory card instead.

Digital cameras are distinguished by their resolution--how many pixels, or picture elements, the image sensor contains. Digital cameras give you extraordinary control over images. Digital cameras are perfect for learner photographers as the images can be displayed immediately. Digital cameras generally need a computer to manipulate and print images, but the technology is evolving rapidly, and photo printers that work without a computer are now mass-market items. Digital cameras have high power requirements, and over time have become increasingly smaller in size, which has resulted in an ongoing need to develop a battery small enough to fit in the camera and yet able to power it for a reasonable length of time. Digital cameras emerging popularity is attributed to the vastly improved photography experience they afford, through instant viewing, deletion, annotation, and control over reprint size and quantity.

Nigel is a successful webmaster and publisher of easishopping.biz an Online Shopping website. This site showcases, among other topics, Digital Cameras from the Uk's leading suppliers of Digital Cameras.

Digital Camera Information

Digital Camera Software

A combination of a digital camera, a color scanner and image manipulation software is highly recommended. The software digital camera software that is included also provides professional level workflow solutions for seamless use.

Most of the software is designed for digital camera users, compatible with most current digital camera models.

photo editing software & photo printing software that's renown for its ease of use. At last there's easy-to-use digital camera software for both home and business users.

Image

The image sensor employed by most digital cameras is a charge coupled device (CCD). Some current digital camera models store combinations of video (MPEG or AVI movies), image sequences or sound. Although Canon's images are slightly better, the Casio is an ultra-thin, sleek digital camera that doesn't sacrifice overall image quality.

Easy-to-understand information about digital cameras, accessories, image editing and more. Image quality depends on the resolution of the digital camera. To make image files smaller almost every digital camera uses some form of compression. This EasyShare digital camera's resolution of 5 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and an all-glass lens combine for amazing image detail and clarity.

With an image stabilizer, this digital camera produces clear, even images even in shaky conditions. Resolution is the most talked about digital camera characteristic and is often used to describe image quality.

If you have the option, choose optical rather than digital image stabilization in your camera. It is probably the best digital camera made and produces image quality that rivals medium format film (e.g., 6x6cm Hasselblad).

Image processing for single-sensor digital camera: a mathematical challenge This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. A typical slave unit will fire on the pre-flash it senses while the digital camera captures the image on the last flash. The image quality available from digital cameras is astonishingly good.

Film

In fact, a digital camera is better quality than a film camera in many important respects! The digital cameras enjoy the advantage of a built-in digital signal processor that your roll of film doesn't have.

Add an external or speed light flash to your digital camera or film camera. Many digital cameras are comparable to a 35 mm camera in price without the extra added cost of buying or developing film. Back to top Printing pictures Unlike with film cameras, you can print digital photos at home.

Is considering laying off the development of new film cameras as it focuses resources on its digital camera business. Though digital cameras don't use film, they have adopted the same rating system for describing the sensitivity of the camera's imaging sensor. So far, very few digital cameras have been produced with a receptor using the full size of 35mm film.

Whether you're using film or a digital camera, bring a sturdy tripod. Shooting with a digital camera is somewhat like shooting slide film. A couple years ago, I got into the digital camera thing to the point that I pretty much parked my roll film cameras. The digital camera scenario is similar in that mega pixels are similar to film size. To design and build a high performance digital cine camera with the quality of 35mm film and convenience of a camcorder.

Quality

The quality of your pictures can be enhanced by the digital camera accessory you choose. You'll find quality brands of digital cameras, 35mm cameras, lenses, video cameras, memory cards and camera accessories at great prices. An easy to use quality digital camera purchase will be fully used by staff and students. However, not all digital cameras can produce prints of the same quality. I wanted a go-anywhere high quality digital camera that's user-friendly with both auto & manual controls. At the cheaper end of the digital camera scale, the quality can be remarkable for the price.

Buy

It is better to buy a digital camera with a 100% glass lens for the best pictures. Many retailers advertise their best buy digital camera as one with a plastic lens. You should also look for the best buy digital camera packages with the most RAM that you can afford. A lot of unscrupulous retailers will advertise a price for a best buy digital camera but then charge high shipping costs.

Finally, ensure that you have accounted for any shipping costs before you make your final decision over which best buy digital camera you purchase. There's never been a better time to buy a digital camera. Having to buy re-chargeable batteries and a charger will typically add from $20 to $100 to the cost of your digital camera.

As a person constantly taking photos I made this page as a lot of people keep asking me what digital camera they should buy. Find discount computers, cheap digital camera, buy digital cameras. Try before you buy - I've always been a firm believer that you should handle a digital camera before you buy it.

Size

Experienced digital camera users know pixel size isn't everything. The small size and versatility allow easy integration of digital cameras into all parts of the curriculum. If you care more about price and features than compact size, choose a standard size digital camera.

There are three basic "sizes" of digital cameras, and knowing what size camera suits your needs will make your search much simpler. For digital SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses it's more difficult as different cameras have different size sensors. This is why I am currently looking for an extra digital camera featuring a minimal size combined with a maximum amount of useful features.

These are about the size of a matchbook and used in digital cameras made by Nikon, Canon, Kodak and many others. When choosing a digital camera you have to think about the resolution of the pictures, size and memory. A larger inner diameter makes the L-Ring 3200 perfect no matter the lens size of your digital camera. This has nothing to do with your camera being digital it is entirely a result of smaller frame size.

Video

Webcams are digital cameras attached to computers, used for video conferencing or other purposes. However, modern digital photography cameras have a video function, and a growing number of camcorders have a still photography function. Modern compact digital cameras are typically multifunctional, with some devices capable of taking photographs, video, and/or sound.

Classification Digital cameras can be classified into several groups: Video cameras Professional video cameras such as those used in television and movie production. Some digital cameras have direct video out..... Another alternative, although not directly a digital one, would be to purchase one of the analog peephole video cameras.

Lens

The super multi layer lens coating reduces flare and ghost, a common problem with digital cameras. The vast majority of digital cameras are "point-and-shoot" models with a single, non-interchangeable lens. Because auto focusing in most digital cameras is done through the lens, the focus shift is automatically taken care of. Focus and Exposure: Fixed-focus digital cameras have a lens that is preset to focus at a certain range. These depend on the actual (as opposed to relative) diameter of the lens aperture, which makes them especially painful for digital cameras.

Memory

You can find a memory card reader or extra battery to keep your digital camera powered up for any circumstance. Some professional digital cameras and memory card readers connect to the computer over FireWire. SD is now the most popular type of digital camera memory. Many types of memory cards are available for use with your digital camera. Files deleted from PC, digital camera or memory stick can be restored with high speed and reliability. When using your digital camera to make movies it is also very important to have ample Flash Memory on hand too.

Battery

All digital cameras can run on rechargeable batteries of one of two types: an expensive battery pack or a set of AA batteries. A battery is taped to the inside cover of the box that the Olympus digital camera came in. Take a few moments to look around, keep your camcorder, digital camera or laptop computer working like new with a fresh battery today! The Digital Camera Battery can power two devices at the same time and has adjustable outputs that match each device automatically.

Photography

BytePhoto.com - Digital camera reviews, digital photography tips, forums and free photo sharing for digital photography enthusiasts. Jen Roesner from Germany has a whole site dedicated to digital infrared photography, including a comparison table of various cameras' IR sensitivity. Not really necessary in digital photography as the camera's white balance system adjusts for the color temperature of the scene. Back to school - Whether you are a novice or a professional, there are numerous free online courses in digital cameras and photography.

Looking

If you're looking to upgrade, you can sell your old digital camera and use the funds to purchase that latest spiffy digital camera. Whether you're looking for your first camera or you're an experienced pro Digital Camera has what you need.

Len Cecchetto is an avid photographer who first had a box brownie. He aims to bring the best Digital Photography information

[http://digitalphotography.ozmarketing.info]

Pros and Cons of Disposable Digital Cameras

Want to know both the pros & cons of disposable digital cameras? If you are considering buying and using a disposable digital camera, it is most definitely a good idea to know the benefits and problems of disposable digital cameras before you buy one.

Disposable digital camera - these three words fit naturally together in today's world. After all, in today's world, everything seems to be disposable and everything is digital, why shouldn't a camera be, too? But is a disposable digital camera really a good idea? Do the brains that came up with this idea deserve to be saved in jars of formaldehyde and studied for many years to come?

Let us start with the pros of disposable digital cameras:

· They are very easy to use. You do not need to take a course in photography to figure out how to use one of these cameras!

· If you are not ready to invest in a camera yet, or if you rarely use cameras, then it is silly to buy an expensive camera. Instead, save your money and use a disposable camera.

· A one time use digital camera is perfect for anyone who is considering buying a digital camera, but is not yet quite sure if it is the best camera for him or her. Using a disposable one can give you the main gist of what a real one is like.

· A single use digital camera is also a great item for those that already own a regular, expensive digital camera. You can take it on vacations or hikes, etc. and not constantly worry about it getting stolen or broken or lost, etc. Sure, you would maybe lose a few valuable photos, but you would not have to worry about replacing an expensive camera.

· Disposable digital cameras are better than regular disposable cameras for a few reasons. One, you can buy some with an LCD screen so that you can see the photo that you just took. Two, most have a function in which you can delete the last photo taken. Therefore, if you accidentally take a photo of the ground while walking, you do not have to pay to get it developed!

· Many of the disposable cameras are recycled or reused almost in full.

· You do not have to worry about dealing with extra wires and devices and downloading your photos, etc.

Now for some of the cons of disposable digital cameras:

· If we have so much technology these days, why do we continue to think of ways to make things disposable? Shouldn't we be coming up with things that will last long for the pleasure and use of many generations to come? Instead, we are coming up with items that will fill our landfills for many generations to come. (Yes, as stated above, at least most of the camera will be recycled or reused, but still...)

· Yes, you can buy disposable digital cameras with LCD screens (one of the main features and benefits of regular cameras is being able to use this LCD screen and actually see the photos), but you are going to have to pay extra for this screen. If you decide to use disposable cameras a lot, in the end it could have been worth it to simply pay a few extra bucks for a regular digital camera.

· Yes, you can usually delete a photograph that you do not like, but you can generally only delete the last photograph you took. You have to know right then that you want to delete it. Also, if you did not pay the extra money for the LCD screen, it is hard to know whether or not the photo should be deleted.

· One of the other main benefits of a regular disposable digital camera is that you can put the photos in a photo workshop and perfect them before you print them out. With a disposable digital camera, you take the photos directly the processing center, and they print them out before you make any major changes to them (some places allow you to make small changes in-store). Of course, you can usually get a cd of your photos to take home and download...

· The photos, quite simply are not going to be as high quality as a regular digital camera would produce.

Now that we have gone over some of the major pros and cons of disposable digital cameras, it is time for you to decide whether or not to buy one. The ultimate decision is completely up to you.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, technology, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on digital cameras, please visit Disposable Digital Cameras.

Buying a Digital Camera? Avoid a Mistake With 7 Insider Tips

So, you're ready to buy a digital camera, huh? Maybe it's your first, maybe it's your fourth. It can still be an overwhelming and confusing venture. With so many digital cameras on the market today ranging in price from under $100 to over $7,000, it may feel like there are TOO MANY CHOICES!

Many people begin the buying process by investigating all the features and functions of 10 - 20 cameras in "their price range," however that is determined. Some people find that process too frustrating and buy the first digital camera that "looks" right.

Personally, I'm an analyzer. As a professional photographer, when I start analyzing digital cameras, it's like unleashing a sumo wrestler at an all-you-can-eat buffet... there's no stopping me.

But, for the typical consumer, knowing the digital camera's features and functions alone just doesn't cut it. People want to know WHAT THE FEATURE DOES FOR ME!

Whether you go the feature/function route or not, there are 7 insider tips that can help save you money and avoid buying the wrong digital camera for your purposes.

Tip #1: How to Get the Best Prices on Digital Cameras

Wherever you are in the investigation/buying process, eventually you get to this step. If you want to buy a digital camera, the best prices are on the internet. Whether you've purchased anything on the internet or not, there are certain INTERNET BUYING STRATEGIES that will save you money, time, and aggravation.

When purchasing ANYTHING through the internet, only consider the ENTIRE cost of the "digital camera + tax + shipping," NOT just the price of the digital camera. This is the only way to compare "apples to apples."

Once you find the best ENTIRE cost, do not immediately buy it from that vendor! There are key INTERNET questions to answer:

Is the digital camera in stock? There is often a mysterious correlation between the cheapest digital camera prices and cameras being OUT OF STOCK. You don't want to order your digital camera and then have it sit on backorder for 3 months, do you?

Does your Nikon (Minolta, Canon, etc.) come with a USA warranty or is it what's called "grey goods?" You want to verify it's a USA warranty, unless you don't mind having to service it internationally. If it's grey goods, you WILL NOT be able to service it in the US.

When ordering your digital baby, beware of costly add-on accessories that may be needed eventually, but are suggested during this "special order promotion time" at 200% of the normal price.

Tip #2: Professional or Prosumer... Which is Right For You?

Let's begin by clarifying our terms. A professional digital camera is a digital SLR, while a prosumer is basically everything else. In that context, as of the end of 2005, digital SLRs could be purchased for $600 - $8,000 (Canon and Nikon, at least). The key points to consider are:

If you plan on shooting night photos or other pictures in low-light situations, many prosumer digital cameras take good quality photographs at ISO 100 or 200. However, to take good pictures in lower light at ISO 400 or 800 will typically require a digital SLR. Otherwise, digital "noise" will probably have too large an impact on picture quality.

If you plan on taking flash photographs at distances greater than 10-12 feet from your subject, an external flash unit needs to be used. And the only way an external flash unit can be used with your digital camera is to attach it to your camera's hot shoe. Every professional digital camera has a hot shoe. Many prosumers also do, but NOT ALL OF THEM.

Salespeople often try to sway consumers away from professional digital cameras into prosumer models, saying that the digital SLRs have so many complicated features that they are difficult to use. That is only half correct. Digital SLRs are typically designed to allow consumers to take pictures easily using the more automatic settings OR to use the advanced features when they are comfortable doing so.

Tip #3: What Exactly IS an Affordable Digital Camera?

"Affordable" digital cameras have a tendency of making your budget happy, but disappointing the photographer in you.

Don't overlook the ergonomics of the camera. Are the controls easy? Comfortable? How many buttons or levers need to be simultaneously set before getting the result you want?

If you're upgrading from a less expensive digital camera, don't assume that spending more or having more features will automatically make you happy. Always test out the camera. An affordable digital camera isn't affordable if you wind up not using it!

The new digital camera is more than likely to operate differently than your older model. Does the new camera have controls that are counter-intuitive? Things like that can frustrate a person enough to not use their digital camera. Better to find out details like these before rather than after the purchase.

Tip #4: Don't be Tricked by Digital and Optical Zoom. Only One Matters.

Here's the bottom line: Optical Zoom is the only thing that's important. Although some salespeople might argue with this, when buying a digital camera, my suggestion is to COMPLETELY IGNORE ALL DIGITAL ZOOM FIGURES. Digital zoom has absolutely no impact on being able to take a photograph of a distant subject by zooming in on it.

The main reason salespeople like to include optical zoom in the equation is because advertising loves to give you the digital camera's "zoom factor." Multiply a 3X Digital Zoom by a 5X Optical Zoom, and you have a 15X Zoom factor... a completely worthless and MISLEADING number!!

Tip #5: Is the Discount Digital Camera a Good or Bad Idea?

The most important consideration when considering a discount digital camera (or any other electronic device, for that matter) is to ask yourself: "WHAT IS MY GOAL?"

Many consumers start by first falling in love with a digital camera and then become pleased or disappointed with its capabilities (usually after they buy it).

I'm proposing something outlandishly radical... go through the process the OPPOSITE WAY. First, ask yourself some basic questions:


What do I plan to do with the digital camera (and don't say "take pictures")? What are you most interested in - the occasional family snapshot, landscapes, macro work, heavy flash use, all of the above?

How much use will it get? (Twice a year, or once a week?)

What is most important to me: picture quality, camera size, camera weight, durability, telephotos/wide angle lens, etc.?

Based on your responses to these questions, a discount digital camera can be your best choice or a complete waste of money.

A "no-name" discount digital camera can be a logical choice, based on what your photographic goals are. But don't think a $49.95 Brand X camera is going to cost you $49.95! You also have to add in the cost for at least some accessories, such as memory, batteries, bag, and lens protector.

Tip #6: When are Small Digital Cameras the Perfect Choice?

Despite impressions to the contrary, small digital cameras (also referred to as compact digital cameras) are quite popular. They're easy to carry, usually loaded with features, and take respectable photographs.

We need to remember that SMALL DOESN'T MEAN UNDERPOWERED. Some advantages of going tiny are: less bulky, easier to transport, less conspicuous (less likely to "walk off"), and they often compare favorably with larger cameras in the feature and price categories.

Some of the pitfalls of going small include: possible trouble physically operating some of the camera's controls, less likely to support an external flash, and the physical size can limit some of the available features, such as image manipulation.

Tip #7: Megapixels - What's Fact; What's Fiction?

Megapixels is one of the most talked about (and misunderstood) terms in the world of digital cameras. Let's sort through some facts and misperceptions, so you can make a more informed buying decision.

Taking better digital photography involves more than just having a camera with a bunch of megapixels, although you wouldn't know that listening to digital camera salespeople.

Megapixels is just one factor in creating better digital photography. And, you can't look at it alone. You should consider other digital camera features.

How fast or slow the camera's shutter speed can be set is key. Using a tripod, being able to manually set the white-balance control, and having pre-programmed modes to aid in tricky lighting situations are all important factors in achieving better digital photography.

Don't get the idea that megapixels are bad, or irrelevant. This is NOT TRUE. There is one specific area where more megapixels will create better digital photography results. If everything else is the same, more megapixels will provide GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO CROP A PHOTOGRAPH and still wind up with a sharp clear photo. And, cropping photographs can make a world of difference. Cropping is the eraser on your digital pencil.

Conclusion

People can make buying a digital camera a snap decision or a life-long project. Because there are so many models, brands, and features; it can get pretty confusing. You will never know ALL THE FACTS to make the "best decision." But, by using these 7 tips, you will know what really matters to YOU.

For the unabridged tips, go to http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/digital-cameras.html.

Robert Bezman is a professional photographer and owner of Custom Photographic Expressions. Robert has created http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com to help beginning and intermediate photographers create better photographs. Robert is offering a free newsletter and eBook that can be obtained by visiting http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/photography-newsletter.html

Compare Prices on Digital Cameras Before Making Your Purchasing Decision

If you're thinking of buying your first digital camera, or replacing an old film camera - always make sure you compare prices on digital cameras before you buy. We live in the age of the internet which has meant more and stronger competition, leading to some seriously deep discounting.

There are some amazing deals out there - so shop around and make sure you get the best camera for your hard earned money. Thanks to the internet, the world is quite literally your oyster (more on this in later articles).

Digital cameras are great tools for capturing memories and recording your most treasured moments, and today (and rightly so in my opinion) digital cameras are so much more popular than traditional film cameras - so much so that Kodak gave up making film cameras some time ago even though they still make film.

Most people, and their families, will really benefit from the latest model digital cameras because they now provide the means to take, and send pictures instantly to their friends and family around the world. Professionals have been able to do that for some considerable time, but they will most likely be sending their work, unedited, to editors of newspapers and magazines anywhere on the planet.

You'll have noticed by now that the latest digital cameras are amazing pieces of technology, but there are many makes and types of digital cameras on the market. To the inexperienced or untutored eye, most of these amazing cameras will look much the same but digital cameras can and will vary quite significantly in features and price.

Fortunately help is at hand - there are many tools on the internet that consumers can use to compare prices on digital cameras before making their purchase.

As you can imagine, amateurs and professionals are going to have different needs when buying a digital camera, but there is information readily available for both groups that will enable them to compare prices digital cameras. This same information will also contain details of the specification of each make and model. The information available on the internet that compares pricing on digital cameras should help them get the exact model they want plus the best value for their money -- and as often as not savings of up to 35% is readily available on even the best of makes. The information available to compare prices of digital cameras, and most other photographic accessories, will usually have the exact data on the prices of all the different makes and models of cameras. There is little doubt that price is one of the most important considerations for most consumers.

Digital cameras can range in price from under a hundred dollars for a pocket automatic to several thousand dollars for the top spec pro models.

Savvy Photographic Shoppers Always Compare Prices on Digital Cameras On The Internet

Any information that compares digital cameras should provide information so consumers will not fall into the trap of just buying the cheapest camera which may not meet their needs. This information should also help consumers buy the camera with the best features at the best all inclusive price. Sometimes though, the reverse can be true - the most expensive camera is not always the best camera, so any information that will help you compare prices digital cameras should also provide you with the facts about the quality of the images captured with the camera.

A good review site will have examples of pictures taken under all conditions as there can be a significant difference in the quality of the photos taken with different makes and models of digital cameras. Any information that claims to compare digital cameras should also include a detailed analysis of the reliability of the camera.

For example: A high specification camera is not going to be much good if the batteries run out quickly. People might lose some great photographic opportunities just because the batteries expired before expected. Stopping to buy or change batteries could cause you to lose "the moment" - embarrassing if it's an important photo shoot like a family wedding or anniversary for example - for that reason the author always uses freshly charged, rechargeable nimh batteries in his cameras.

Price comparison sites also sometimes include consumer reports on the customer service provided by the manufacturer. No one wants to buy a camera that is liable to break down and cannot be fixed easily. Other information should also include details about the weight of the camera. That kind of information could make a significant difference to photographers who don't want to lug a huge weighty camera on a lightweight camping trip, for example.

Geoffrey Cummins has been involved in the world of photography for 40 years or more, enjoying success for a number of years with his own wedding photography business.

Now retired from using his camera professionally, he is a long time user of Canon film cameras and converted to digital in 2003 (yes, a Canon!). Needless to say before stepping into the world of digital photography, he made sure to compare prices on the digital cameras.

Geoffrey has written a series of articles on all aspects of buying and using digital cameras which can be found at his web site, where you can obtain a FREE series of tips and hints for new and experienced users of digital cameras.

If you own a related web site and would like a totally unique copy of this article (to avoid duplicate content) for your web site, please visit the author's digital cameras [http://digital-cameras.all4utoday.com] information site and follow the resources link.

The Early Digital Camera

A digital camera is basically a digital device that enables images to be captured. Digital camera images are stored electronically rather than on film. This process involves converting light into electrical charges, and then translating this back into the image that was seen through the digital camera LCD. Although the digital camera is a recent addition to the world of photography, the concept of the possibility of a digital camera was begun in the 1950s.

The early concept of the digital camera was closely linked to television technology. It began with digital images being recorded on scanners and in the form of digital video signals. In 1951 broadcasting companies were recording images as electrical impulses and onto magnetic tape from their television cameras, and this paved the way for digital camera technology to begin. By 1956 electrical impulse recordings were common practise within film industry, and camera manufacturers began to dream of a digital camera device.

The first record of a patent for a type of digital camera was in 1972 when Texas Instruments patented a camera that did not require film. However, the patent revealed a more analog based design rather than a digital camera, and there is no record of whether the camera was actually created. What the patent does show, however, is that interest towards a digital camera was growing with the idea that the need for film could be removed. A pioneer in the history of digital camera was Steve Sasson, an engineer at Kodak. Digital images were of the moon were being transmitted via satellite by NASA, using a mosaic photo sensor, and he saw the possibility of a digital camera for commercial use. In 1972 he began to group together available equipment used within the film industry to create an image digitally rather than on film.

Central to this early concept of the digital camera, and still used by digital cameras today, is the Charged Coupled Device. The CCD detects light and colour intensity and then converts this information into electrons. The value of each cell in the image is then read, and converted to binary format to make the image computer compatible. Steve Sasson produced his first digital camera image in 1979. The image took a total of 23 seconds to take, and a further 23 seconds to read from the playback unit. Although the digital camera image was less than perfect, it showed that the digital camera was a possibility. Kodak had developed a camera that developed picture from light, but it was never manufactured for the public.

The first camera to be marketed was the Sony Mavica electronic still camera in 1981. It was not a true digital camera as the image was recorded on mini disc, and then attached to a television or video. It was more a freeze frame video camera but it greatly influenced people`s attitude to the recorded image. It made public the possibility of a camera that stored images using techniques other than film. It still used more television technology but was the first hand held with the general idea of digital camera usage. Cameras that could transmit images via satellite became popular, but were used by the media only due to the expense incurred. The possibilities were becoming apparent and images were used for news coverage. The first camera for general use with a computer was the Apple Quicktake 100 camera which appeared in1984. In 1986 the Canon RC-701 was used for coverage of the Olympics, with quality images printed in the newspaper. This showed the possible quality, and the desire for the digital camera was born.

The first mega pixel sensor was invented in 1986. It contained 1.4 million pixels and was suitable for a digital camera image measuring 5x7 inches. In 1987 accessories for storing, printing, manipulating, transmitting, and recording digital images came onto the market, with the Fuji DS-P1 arriving in 1988. This is arguably the first true digital camera as recognised today, boasting a 16MB memory card. With the arrival of JPEG and MPEG standards in the 1990´s, the face of the digital camera was changed for ever. Kodak marketed the first readily available digital camera that met all standards, with the Kodak DC40 in 1995.

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author's name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the Article section of page www.polomercantil.com.br/camera-digital.php
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for www.PoloMercantil.com.br

Buying A Digital Camera? Vital Things You Must Know First!

There are a lot of things to take into account when buying a digital camera. With new models coming out all the time, each with much better functions then before, it can really be quite difficult for non technical people to make the right decision. Sadly, people when buying a digital camera often just go out and buy the first thing they see that looks reasonably well priced with out really knowing whether the digital camera is the right one for them. I have written this article to help people know what to look for in a digital camera and what to avoid, so that they make a better decision and get more for their money.

So what are the main things you need to consider when buying a digital camera?

For most amateur digital photographers the most important element to look at is the number of mega pixels the digital camera is capable of. The more mega pixels, the higher the image quality will be. 4 to 6 mega pixels is probable fine if you are only going to be doing amateur type digital photography. You should be able to blow-up a 4 mega pixel image to A3 and still get photographic quality, but any more than that, and it would become more a question of opinion whether or not the image was truly photographic. The higher you go with mega pixels the more important the quality of lenses of the digital camera will be too, but at the low end (4 to 6 mega pixels) this is less important.

One thing you really need to watch out for here is the fact that a lot of digital camera companies will try and deceive you! It is imperative that you read the small print so to speak. On a lot of digital cameras they will have printed on them in big letters how many mega pixels the digital camera is capable of, say one says it's 6 mega pixels, but in the small print underneath there could be a line that says something like; 5 mega pixels enhanced to 6 using software! You need to check this before buying a digital camera, because what this basically means is that the digital camera is only really 5 mega pixels and the camera's software is going to try and enhance the image quality to 6 mage pixels. Try is the key word here since this will never be as good as a true 6 mega pixel camera.

Another thing to consider when buying a digital camera is how much zoom the camera has. How much zoom you need will depend more on your usage of the digital camera, if you are just going to take quick snaps here and there it might not be a big issue, but of cause the less zoom you have the more limited you will be with what you can do. Again just like with the digital camera's mega pixels, you must read the small print. There is optical zoom and digital zoom, optical zoom will use lenses to zoom in, where as digital zoom will just make the image bigger and this will make the quality of the image go down. Personally I don't really see any point of digital zoom on a digital camera, since you can easily blow-up an image with your digital photography editing software on your computer, where you will have far more control and a much better idea of just how much image quality you are losing by doing so. When taking photos or video for that matter, I always try and keep my options open.

One thing people often overlook when buying a digital camera is the units power supply! I can tell you from experience that there's nothing more annoying than running out of battery when you're out and about taking photos. Most of the lower end cameras will take AA or AAA rechargeable batteries, this is fine, but you must get several sets or rechargeable batteries for the camera. Always have at least one set spare with you when out taking photos, if you are planning on going on holiday you might want to have more. The good thing is AA and AAA rechargeable batteries aren't very expensive these days. Other cameras will use their own type of battery pack. These days, these packs are normally Lithium batteries which are a lot more expensive. They do give more power and last longer, but I would still recommend getting at least one spare battery for the digital camera. So when comparing prices you also need to add the price of the batteries to the digital camera's price.

If you're buying a digital camera for amateur use only, then the topics covered here will help you make a better buying decision, but if you are buying a higher end camera, as hinted in the article you will need to look at other things as well, such as the quality of the lenses etc. The best way to go from here is to read up on reviews of digital cameras to see how each one compares to its competition, do your research well, and you will be rewarded with a digital camera that suits your needs for years to come.

Jayen Woods runs a Digital Photography Equipment section on his digital photography site, were you can read more on this subject. Jayen also runs two other websites: a rafting site, perfect for rafting lovers all over the world, latest update: White Water Rafting Colorado Springs. And a Home Security site for help with Diy Home Security Systems and all things Home Security.

Digital Camera Basics

Digital Camera Basics... The Vocabulary

Shopping for a digital camera can be a difficult task considering the sheer number of choices out there. The number of manufacturers, models, and price ranges that need to be sorted out make the process difficult enough, but throw in all the buzz-words that need to be understood, and even a short list of cameras can become difficult to analyze.

This Tech Tip will take a look at a few key words that may come up when researching a digital camera, and will hopefully reduce the headaches associated with the process.

Pixels

Digital images are composed of thousands or millions of tiny squares called picture elements, or pixels for short. Each square has its own color assigned to it, and the compilation of all of these little colored squares allows for images to appear smooth when viewed at original size. If an image is magnified several times, the appearance of the pixels can become more obvious, and at high magnifications each colored pixel can be distinguished individually.

Megapixels

Basically, the term megapixel means one million pixels, and it is used to describe the maximum number of pixels found in an image produced by a digital camera. It is generally the criteria used to classify cameras, and checking the Geeks.com selection (http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=CAM) shows that their cameras are all sorted into ranges of megapixels (MP).

Many people assume that because cameras are marketed so heavily by their megapixel specification, that this is the single most important criteria when choosing a camera. More megapixels do not necessarily equal better images, they mean larger images (both in physical size and in file size).

The megapixel count is achieved by multiplying the number of pixels in one horizontal line by the number of pixels in one vertical line. So, if a camera can produce images at a maximum resolution of 1600 by 1200 pixels, it is a 1.92 megapixel (1,920,000 pixel) camera.

It is not fair to assume that the images from the 5.0 MP Kodax CX7525 are automatically better than those from the 4.0 MP Kodak CX7430 strictly based on their megapixel count. All it means is that the maximum image size of the CX7525 is 2560 x 1920 and the maximum image size of the LS743 is 2408 x 1758. Many other features in the cameras can impact the quality of the images they produce, and may be far more important for the typical user to consider than the maximum overall size of each image.

Larger image size may do nothing for a user who only wants to view images on his computer screen, or for use on the web, but the higher megapixel images are important for those looking to make prints of their images. Generally, higher pixel counts in an image translate to the ability to create larger prints.

Sensors - CMOS and CCD

Digital cameras use a small sensor to capture the image before transferring it to flash memory for storage. Equivalent to a negative in a film camera, these sensors come in a variety of sizes, with most being between 20 and 40 millimeters squared. There are two types of sensors that may be found in cameras: CCD (Charged Couple Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). CMOS sensors are usually found in cheaper cameras and offer lower image quality than a CCD sensor that would probably be found in a more expensive camera.

There is an exception to the rule that CCD is better than CMOS, and that is with the Digital SLR-type (Single Lens Reflex) cameras. They use a much larger sensor (greater than 300 millimeters squared) and can provide excellent image quality, but the quality does come with a much higher price tag.

Zoom - Optical and Digital

Most digital cameras offer some sort of zoom, but it is important to identify which type is being provided. Optical zoom functions just as on a film camera, where the lens physically moves to produce the magnification. Digital zoom uses circuitry to enlarge a portion of the standard sized image and crops the content outside of the zoomed area. The quality of images produced using digital zoom suffer due to the nature of the process, and optical zoom is a far more desirable feature.

The price of a camera with optical zoom may be a good deal more than one with digital zoom, but the quality of the images cannot be compared. The Kodak CX7330 and the Kodak CX7300 are comparable cameras in many regards, but the CX7300 features only digital zoom, while the CX7330 features both optical and digital zoom for about $30 more.

Memory - Digital Film

The two important things to consider when choosing flash memory for a digital camera is that the right format is chosen, and that a quality module is chosen that can record quickly and be ready for the next picture as soon as possible. A photographer looking to snap a rapid series of high resolution images on their Kodak DX7440 has many options in SD (secure digital) memory to choose from but, they would be far better off with something like the SanDisk Ultra II SD card capable of a sustained write speed of 9 MB/s, than with a generic SD card capable of a burst speed rated at only 2.5MB/s.

Aliasing

Even if you think you know the basic definition of this term, it may seem confusing in the context of digital cameras. Aliasing refers to the appearance of jagged edges generally seen on diagonal or curved surfaces in images. This effect is caused by the fact that all pixels are square, and that even non-square shapes in an image need to be created with square components.

The solution to aliasing is not surprisingly called "anti-aliasing." Through software, the edges generally affected by aliasing are blended and the jagged appearance can be made much smoother. Video game enthusiasts may be familiar with anti-aliasing and the impact the varying levels of it can have on the overall performance of game play. Although the technology is similar, the personal importance of having the best digital images possible makes applying anti-aliasing just about a no-brainer.

Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio describes the shape of a digital image, or any image for that matter, where the first number represents the width of the image and the second number represents the height. People may be familiar with the term as applied to televisions (as 16:9 wide screen televisions are now all the rage to replace traditional 4:3 units), and the concept is the same here.

Standard film cameras generally use an aspect ratio of 3:2, but most digital cameras have adopted a 4:3 aspect ratio so that images better fit on a standard computer monitor. Monitors with typical resolutions of 800x600, 1024x768, or 1280x960, for example, all have an aspect ratio of 4:3, so it only makes sense to produce images that will fit well on these screens. Although images can be manipulated to print on any size paper, special photo-quality paper is available to allow for high-quality prints to be made at the correct aspect ratio.

Connectivity

The pictures taken by a digital camera have to be extracted by some means in order to get them onto a computer, or perhaps directly onto a printer. In general, cameras provide a cable to connect to a computer either via serial, USB, USB 2.0, or Firewire.

Serial ports are just about extinct at this point due to their slow connection speeds and lack of plug-and-play support, but some older or lower-end models may still offer serial connectivity.

USB may be the most common form of connectivity, and if speed is important to you, look specifically for USB 2.0 support, as it is up to 40 times faster.

Some specialized cameras may take advantage of the high speed Firewire protocol for connecting to a computer. Just about all modern computers come with at least a pair of USB ports, but not all computers include Firewire. Firewire capabilities can be added to any computer with an available PCI slot by using an expansion card such as this one.

Some cameras don't require any cables at all, as they can transmit the images to a PC wirelessly. The Concord EyeQ is such a camera that utilizes Bluetooth technology in lieu of wires.

Even with all the modes of transmitting images listed so far, one other method may serve as a universal replacement for all of them. Many people find flash memory card readers to be a quick and convenient alternative to using the camera's native means of connecting. You simply remove the memory from the slot on the camera and pop it into the appropriate slot on the reader, and then the computer system can access the card like a local disk drive.

Final Words

Every high-tech field has its own set of specific buzz words, and digital photography is no different. Although by no means an exhaustive resource of digital photography terminology, this Tech Tip provides insight to a few key terms worth knowing in order to make shopping for a digital camera just a bit easier.

Jason Kohrs
Digital camera basics, how to buy a digital camera, and digital camera buying guide.

How To Buy A Digital Camera-How Not To Buy The Wrong Camera

Are you planning to buy a digital camera? Not sure what to look for? Have you bought a digital camera before that you weren't satisfied with? It's amazing how many people I've met who are unhappy with their digital camera. Many of these people took lots of pictures, and had 35mm film cameras that they were very happy with. While it is far easier to buy a digital camera now that you will be happy with, it is still also easy to choose a digital camera that will disappoint you. It is also very easy to spend far more for a digital camera then you need to. It is also important to get a digital camera that is capable of doing what you want, otherwise, all you will have bought is an expensive paperweight.

You will find here how to buy a digital camera. You will be able to choose what models have features that you need, the right resolution for you, and know what to avoid. My goal is to help you make an informed choice based on the features that will really make a difference. I won't tell you what model to buy, because models will change within months. You will, by following these guidelines, be able to choose a digital camera that won't make you feel like it's outdated next year.

Let's start with resolution. I strongly recommend that you start looking at cameras in the six megapixel range. A 6 megapixel digital camera will take pictures that are just as good if not better than a 35mm camera. One reason many people have been disappointed with their digital cameras is because they bought a camera with a lower resolution. Take a digital camera industry is little but responsible for this. Digital cameras have long been touted to have film quality. This claim was made long time before it was really true. One and two megapixel cameras were not film quality. When he came to three and four megapixel cameras, you might be able to say it was film quality, albeit 110 or APS but not 35mm. It was not until the five and six megapixel cameras came out that digital cameras were truly equal to 35mm.. If you buy a digital camera with at least six megapixel solution, you will have a camera that will produce the quality of photographs, most people are used to seeing.

Should you buy a digital camera with a higher resolution? If you have the money, a seven or eight megapixel digital camera will give you a little bit extra detail for cropping or enlargements. Keep in mind, with a higher resolution comes a larger file size. You will need larger memory cards, and a more powerful computer if you choose to work on your pictures. What about the 10 megapixel and higher resolution cameras? Unless you regularly make enlargements larger than 20 x 24, you probably will not see any advantage in a digital camera with a resolution this high. Even a six megapixel camera will provide great images up to an exceeding 20 x 24. Most people do not make enlargements larger than 8 x 10 and so much of this resolution is wasted on almost all the photography. While these high resolutions may sound cool, for many people it may be just wasted money. Most people will be more than happy with a digital camera in the Six to eight megapixel range.

The next thing to consider is the type of digital camera. The compact point and shoot digital camera is not going to be good for shooting pictures of your children in sports. If you want to take pictures of a moving subject you'll need a digital camera that has an optical viewfinder. On the other hand, a large digital single lens reflex is not convenient to take to a theme park. Think about how you plan to use the camera and purchase a camera that is good for that purpose. If you're looking for convenience, choose a small compact point and shoot. You are taking lots of family pictures at important events, look at the advanced prosumer models, you'll find their added speed and cache eliminate waiting for the camera to be ready. If you're serious hobbyist, you definitely may want to consider a digital single lens reflex.

What features should you look for when buying a digital camera? Useful features you may want to consider include image stabilization and zoom range. Image stabilization will help you get sharper pictures under difficult situations. The optical zoom range of the camera is also another feature to use when comparing different models. Do not be misled by a digital zoom feature. Using the digital zoom means less detail. You may also want to consider the inclusion of software. Some cameras include a copy of Photoshop Elements, an excellent image editing program. You should not let features like video recording or large internal memory way your decision, when buying a digital camera. In general, still cameras make poor video cameras and video cameras make poor still cameras. Internal memory, not to be confused with cache, isn't very useful with today's low prices in memory cards. It may also complicate things if you try to print at a local printer.

Finally, you should stick with a well-known camera manufacturer. Canon and Nikon are probably the most well-known and reliable camera manufacturers. Both are well known for long-lasting cameras, and high quality. While many consumer electronics companies make very high-quality cameras, they also tend to make products that seem to have a shorter life expectancy. Definitely stay away from a brand you never heard of before.

In conclusion, start by buying a digital camera with at least six megapixels resolution. Choose a model that is appropriate for what you plan to use it for. A digital single lens reflex won't fit in your pocket or purse, but you almost need it if you want both your child and a soccer ball in the same picture at a soccer game. And finally, buy a camera made by a well-known film camera manufacturer. You should now know how to buy a digital camera that you will enjoy for many years to come.

You can get additional information on how to take better photos here [http://www.photographybyjet.com/how-to-take-better-photos/How-to-choose-digital-camera/how-to-choose-a-digital-camera.htm]. James Thoenes is a professional photographer with over 20 years in photography. Learn how to take better photos at his website http://www.photographybyjet.com.

Few Facts Of Digital Cameras

A digital camera captures images in a digital format, unlike a conventional camera, which captures images using a photographic film.

History:

Using a mosaic photosensor, Eugene F. Lally of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory first showed how still photos could be produced in a digital domain. An engineer at Eastman Kodak, Steve Sasson, used solid-state CCD chips to build a prototype digital camera having a resolution of 0.01 megapixel, and recorded black and white digital images to a magnetic cassette tape. With this prototype model, Steve took the first image in December of 1975 taking 23 seconds to capture it.

In 1988, Fuji DS-1P became the first digital camera that captured images as a computerized file. However, the camera never entered the U.S. market. In 1991, Kodak DCS-100 was the first commercially available digital camera, which used a 1.3 megapixel sensor. With the advancement of technology, modern digital cameras have become multifunctional and are now capable of capturing audio/video and still photographs.

Benefits:

1 - You get superior image quality. Digital cameras can offer good to excellent image resolution.

2 - You get a fair price. A digital camera is reasonably priced and is affordable.

3 - You can transfer the pictures to your laptop. You can easily connect the digital camera to your laptop and transfer the pictures in your hard disk.

4 - You can print in large sizes. Due to its high resolution, pictures can be printed in large sizes by any plotter.

5 - You can email the pictures to your friends. You can send the pictures by email to your loved ones.

6 - You can store the images in CDs or hard disk. Once the pictures are transferred from digital camera to the computer, permanent storage on a CD or hard disk is possible.

7 - You can take the camera in your pocket while you travel. The small size of the digital camera makes traveling with it easy and a pleasure.

8 - You can move in close to your subject. Zoom lenses offer close-ups of your subject with sharp focus. You can take very good close-ups of flowers, bugs, stamps, coins, etc.

9 - You can rework the image in a computer. Any photo editing software can rework the images taken.

10 - You can take good pictures even in low-light situations. Due to flexible over sensitivity or ISO equivalents, digital cameras can easily take detailed pictures even in low-light conditions.

11 - You can take quality still photos of moving objects. Sports and fashion photography can be easily accomplished due to the fast burst rate of digital cameras.

12 - You save money. There is no need of buying photographic films, developing them into negatives and positives. Moreover, the batteries are usually rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which last a long time.

13 - You can choose as per your needs and fancy. Many models are available like standard digital camera, underwater digital camera, waterproof digital camera, compact digital camera, and the professional digital camera.

Storage Media:

Digital cameras use memory to capture and store images. Some of the storages media used are onboard flash memory, 3.5" floppy disks, video floppy disk, PCMCIA hard drives, CD or DVD, CompactFlash memory cards, Microdrives, Memory Stick, SD/MMC, MiniSD Card, MicroSD Card, XD-Picture Card, SmartMedia, and FP Memory.

Power:

Digital cameras consume a lot of power, which is supplied by powerful, small in size batteries. Batteries are broadly divided into two groups, namely, off-the-shelf and proprietary. Off-the-shelf batteries are like AA, CR2, CR-V3, AAA, and RCR-V3. They are lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. Standard AA non-rechargeable alkaline batteries either do not work or work for only a very short time in most cameras.

Proprietary batteries are built as per the manufacturer`s custom specifications and are usually available as aftermarket replacement parts. Generally, lithium ion batteries are widely used as proprietary batteries for digital cameras.

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This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/camera-digital.php

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br