Let’s Buy a Camera! : Let’s Buy a Camera! Produced by
Mrs. Gallagher-Edlund
Camera Types : Camera Types 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 : Camera Types 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 : Camera Types 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 : Features: 1. Image Resolution Resolution is the number of dots per picture that comprise the image…resolution of image
3 megapixel camera
2500 ppi x 1200 ppi
3,000,000 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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? : How many pictures can you store?
Features: 6. White Balance : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : Features: 10. Battery Type Different types
Lithium Ion
AA
Alkaline
Info Lithium
Nickel Hydride
Rechargeable batteries: allows you to spend less rather than buying new batteries
Features: 11. Flash Modes : Features: 11. Flash Modes Built in flash
Is there an external flash
Different modes
Red-eye reduction
Auto
On/Off
Features: 12. ISO Settings : 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 : 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 : 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 : Helpful websites www.dpreview.com
www.dealcam.com
www.dcviews.com
www.imaging-resource.com
www.nikonusa.com
www.canonusa.com
www.sony.com
www.olympusameraica.com