| Buying a new camera can be a very confusing | | | | - Manual Focus - Found on most single-lens reflex |
| process. The confusion is generally coming from the | | | | (SLR) cameras where you manually focus the |
| fact that there are so many camera and other | | | | camera allowing you for complete control. |
| photographic equipment variations available in the | | | | - Focus and Exposure Lock - The camera |
| market so making a choice can be a daunting task. | | | | automatically sets the focus and exposure when you |
| If you are asking yourself "Which is the best digital | | | | hold down the shutter button while pointing to the |
| camera out there?" , the short answers is "There isn't | | | | subject. |
| one." . What you should really be asking is "Which is | | | | - White Balance - The camera adjusts the image to |
| the best camera for my purpose and budget out | | | | compensate for difference in light allowing you to |
| there?". | | | | maintain colour accuracy in daylight, fluorescent and |
| This guide to buying digital camera or other equipment | | | | incandescent lighting conditions. |
| will show you the key areas you should think about | | | | - Burst Mode - Shoots a 'burst' or group of images |
| and do further research on before you decide on | | | | rapidly and automatically. |
| which new camera to buy: | | | | - Manual Mode - Allows you to set all the controls |
| 1. Decide on Your Budget: | | | | manually. |
| When deciding on your budget take into account the | | | | 5. Decide on Camera Resolution : |
| type and frequency of use for the new camera or | | | | People often agonize over how many megapixels |
| equipment. Buying a £3,000 digital camera to | | | | they should buy, even though other factors, such as |
| take the occasional snapshot makes no sense... | | | | ease of use and the kind and quality of lenses |
| 2. Think About Intended Camera Use : | | | | available for a particular dSLR, can be considerably |
| Before looking at specific camera features and details, | | | | more important decisions in the long run. |
| you should get clear in your mind on how you want to | | | | So our advice is do not spend too much time |
| use the camera and the created images. | | | | pondering on the camera resolution as generally |
| Here are some example scenarios and how each will | | | | majority of the camera vendors settle on a basic |
| affect your buying decision: | | | | benchmark number for resolution which is more than |
| - Type of Subject - Whether you will be photographing | | | | enough for general use. |
| wide angle scenes such as landscapes, telephoto | | | | Just remember the number of pixels you actually need |
| scenes such as portraits, or close-ups such as flowers, | | | | depends on several factors: |
| will determine the focal length and type of the lens, and | | | | 1. How you will be using the image : An image placed |
| whether you need a macro mode. | | | | on a Web site does not need to have the same |
| - Type of Shooting - If you will be shooting indoors for | | | | resolution as one that is used professionally, say, as a |
| example, you will need to think about the quality of the | | | | product advertisement. |
| flash you need. Whether you will be shooting static | | | | 2. How much manipulating and cropping you plan to do |
| scenes or action shots such as sports will determine | | | | : Higher resolution images can withstandmore |
| the viewfinder and camera lens you need. | | | | extensive editing without losing quality. |
| - Type of Use - Identifying whether you will be using | | | | 3. How much you plan to enlarge the image: You will |
| the camera for the occasional snap, or as a serious | | | | need more pixels if you are planning to make a poster |
| amateur or professional photographer, will help you | | | | out of an image. |
| decide on how many manual controls you need. | | | | 4. The resolution of your printer Printers work best |
| - Type of Printing - Identifying whether you will be | | | | with images that more closely match theirown ability to |
| printing the taken images as snapshots or | | | | print detail. |
| enlargements, or whether you will publish them on the | | | | 5. Decide About Lens : |
| Web or send via e-mail. This will determine the best | | | | Most digital cameras come with a built-in zoom lens |
| resolution for each situation. | | | | that cannot be changed. If you think you may |
| The point here is that no ultimate camera exists for | | | | wantmore flexibility or have special requirements, look |
| everyone. In the end, you must choose the camera | | | | for a camera with interchangeable lenses.If you want |
| that you like best and that does what you want it to | | | | a good quality image, plan on shooting with optical |
| do. | | | | rather than digital zoom. Images taken with digital zoom |
| 3. Decide on Camera Size : | | | | are very much inferior to those taken only with optical |
| The digital cameras can really be divided into those | | | | zoom. |
| that you can fit into your pocket and those that you | | | | 6. Check for New Model Releases : |
| cannot and have to carry around your neck instead. A | | | | Knowing when the next upgrade to a digital camera is |
| pocketable camera is lightweight and small, thus it is | | | | expected can be very useful as prices on the current |
| easy to carry and quick to bring to use. | | | | model usually drop just before a new model comes |
| Generally digital cameras split the difference between | | | | out. You might find this a good time to pick up some |
| size and features. So the decision here is | | | | bargains as shops clear out inventory. News on new |
| betweenmore features/larger size and less features | | | | camera model releases can be found on camera |
| smaller size. Again, your decision on which way to go | | | | company Web sites, digital camera review sites as |
| will depend on how you intend to use the camera. | | | | well as digital camera news sites. |
| 4. Evaluate Camera Features : | | | | 7. Check Discussion Forums and Camera Review |
| By now you should be coming to the natural conclusion | | | | Sites : |
| that choosing a camera is always a compromise. | | | | There are a number of very good discussion forums |
| When looking at camera features, our advice is to | | | | and review sites on the Internet that give unbiased and |
| choose the feature set that addresses most of your | | | | honest camera and other equipment reviews. |
| needs or those you anticipate to have. | | | | 8. Shop at Reputable Dealers |
| To help you decide, here is a brief summary for the | | | | My recommendation is to never go for the one |
| key camera modes and their use : | | | | exceptionally low price you can find for any camera or |
| - Automatic Mode - Both aperture and shutter speed | | | | equipment you are buying. There is a reason why it is |
| are set automatically. | | | | so low and it is never a good one.Usually the prices of |
| - Automatic Landscape/Portrait/Sport Mode - | | | | all reputable re-sellers are at a very narrow price |
| Automatically presets the camera for landscape/ | | | | range. The reason for this is as margins are so low, |
| portrait/sport shots | | | | they are selling at just above cost to be competitive. |
| - Exposure Compensation Mode - A dial that allows | | | | 9. Explore Web Auctions |
| you to increase or decrease the exposure by number | | | | You may want to explore Web auctions, specifically |
| of stops. Used to lighten or darken an image | | | | eBay, to check for price deals. Generally, though you |
| - Shutter Priority Mode - The shutter speed is set | | | | might get a good deal on a used camera but rarely on |
| manually and the camera automatically sets the | | | | a new camera model . For buying a new camera stick |
| aperture setting. Good for action and sport scenes. | | | | with established dealers. |
| - Aperture Priority Mode - The aperture is set manually | | | | Here are a few key points to using eBay successfully: |
| and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed | | | | - Check the seller's feedback |
| settings. Good for close-ups where you want to have | | | | - Pay for your items by using your credit card through |
| control over the depth of field. | | | | a service like PayPal for added protection |
| - Fixed Focus - Found on the least expensive | | | | - When purchasing used equipment, see whether you |
| cameras, almost all camera phones, and one-time-use | | | | can get a moneyback guarantee or an inspection |
| cameras where there is a simple camera lens that | | | | period |
| can't be manually or automatically focused. | | | | I hope you have found the Guide to Buying Digital |
| - Automatic Focus - Found on all but the least | | | | Camera and Other Equipment useful and happy |
| expensive cameras where the camera adjusts the | | | | shopping ! |
| focus automatically. | | | | |