Let’s Buy a Camera!

Produced by

Mrs. Gallagher-Edlund

Camera Types

1. Mini-Camera Ultra compact that stores in one’s pocket Lens performance is limited $200 or less Great vacation camera

since it is so small

Camera Types

2. Compact Point and Shoot Easy to Use Limited manual controls and

features $200 – 500 Another great camera for vacations

….not as small, but has better quality photos

Camera Types

3. SLR (single lens reflex) Professional type camera with many manual controls Better lenses Heavier and larger than

compact cameras Professional photographers $400 on up

Features: 1. Image Resolution

Resolution is the number of dots per picture that comprise the image…resolution of image

3 megapixel camera2500 ppi x 1200 ppi3,000,000 total pixels that comprise image

One megapixel = one million pixels General range for cameras are 6-10 megapixels Higher megapixel, higher resolution, sharper image

Print Resolution Recommendations

2+ megapixels best for up to 5 X 7 prints

3-4 megapixels best for up to 8 X 10 prints

6-8 megapixels best for up to 11 X 14 prints

>12 megapixels best for up to 16 X 20

Features: 2. Lens

2 types of lens– Fixed lenses: used on Point and shoot models

are easy to use and fine for snapshots

– SLR (single lens reflex) are more versatile because you can use an array of detachable lenses.

Zoom on Lenses

Optical zoom : – Built inside of camera and when you push the

zoom button, the lens moves physically to make the image closer or farther away. Acts like binoculars Typical size is 3X-

Digital zoom: – Does not involve the lens, instead the camera’s

software crops the photo and uses only the pixels in the center of the image to enlarge the photo…this causes the photo to be blurry so this is not good for printing photos

Features: 3. LCD Viewfinder

This screen displays what you are shooting, as well as a review of images already captured.

Larger the LCD viewfinder, easier to see the photos, but uses more battery power.

Standard size is 2 to 2.5 inches but now some are up to 5 inches.

Features: 4. Shooting Modes

Options for shooting different backgrounds like night shots, landscape, beach, portrait, sports, and more

Full auto mode on all cameras so you don’t have to choose a shooting scene

Full manual mode on high end cameras

Features: 5. Memory

Storage capacity inside camera: usually about 16 to 32 megabytes

– Gives you about 10 to 20 photos Flash memory

– Extra memory cards put into camera– Types

Compact –Flash :large capacity and compatibility with most cameras…range 512 MB to 4 + GB Secure Digital: used for small cameras…range up to 4 GB Memory Stick: For Sony cameras only…range up to 4 GB xD picture card: New flash memory for Olympus and Fuji …range up to 4 GB

How many pictures can you store?

Features: 6. White Balance

Auto adjust allows camera to adjust color for ambient light… what is white will be captured as white

All other colors are adjusted after the white balance

For control over lighting situations, manual adjust is necessary

What is White Balance? What is the range of white balance?

Features: 7. Size and Weight

Personal preferences

Small size limits the zoom factor, but easier to put into your purse or pocket

Generally, as size decreases, features decrease

Features: 8. Capture Speed

Number of photos per second the camera can capture (Frames per second….fps)

A point and shoot normally takes 1 or 2 images a second.

SLR’s can take a normal 5 images a second.

How fast it can take another photo

Focus, flash and exposure systems affect lag time

“Rule of Thumb” ….. test the camera before you purchase

Features: 9. Movie Mode

Can the camera takes movies

Does it include audio with the movie clips

Resolution of clips are lower compared to a digital video camcorder

Good for emailing

Features: 10. Battery Type

Different types1. Lithium Ion

2. AA

3. Alkaline

4. Info Lithium

5. Nickel Hydride

Rechargeable batteries: allows you to spend less rather than buying new batteries

Features: 11. Flash Modes

Built in flash Is there an external flash Different modes

– Red-eye reduction– Auto– On/Off

Features: 12. ISO Settings

Digital film speed settings Digital cameras have an ISO rating indicating their

level of sensitivity to light. Faster the speed , the better to handle low light

situations without blurring the photo ISO 100 is the "normal" setting for most cameras,

although some go as low as ISO 50. The sensitivities can be increased to 200, 400, 800,

or even 3,200 on high-end digital SLRs digital cameras have an ISO rating indicating

their level of sensitivity to light.

Image Stabilization

“Shake mode” Allows the camera to stabilize and eliminates

the blurring photos If you are not stable when you take photos,

this would be very helpful to have on your camera!

File Formats

JPEG: Most common digital camera image format

TIFF: Another widely used image format for photos, but also used for files since they can be saved for multi-pages under one page.

CCD Raw:An uncompressed image format that contains all of the data picked up by the image sensor

Helpful websites

1. www.dpreview.com

2. www.dealcam.com

3. www.dcviews.com

4. www.imaging-resource.com

5. www.nikonusa.com

6. www.canonusa.com

7. www.sony.com

8. www.olympusameraica.com