| In a quandary as to what kind of digital camera to | | | | shutterbug will want to invest in a much taller and |
| invest in? Should you buy the cheap one first or | | | | more stable tripod. |
| go straight for the Rolls Royce of digital cameras? | | | | Storage media |
| Digital cameras can be extremely notorious for | | | | Most digital cameras have some built in memory |
| making you regret the "buy cheap first" decision. | | | | but do not count on this to store your photos |
| Getting an understanding of what digital cameras | | | | because the memory size is very small. You will |
| can and probably cannot do will go a long way in | | | | find that the built-in memory easily runs out when |
| guiding you to buy that first one. Here are seven | | | | taking pictures of 5 mega pixels and above. |
| things to look out for: | | | | Invest in a compact flash or secure digital flash |
| 1. Categories of a camera | | | | card. 256 Kb will give you good enough storage |
| - ultra compact--by far, the lowest of the | | | | when taking high mega pixel shots. But if you are |
| low-end, no flash, no zoom, no nothing; just aim | | | | an avid clicker, consider getting at least a 1 Gb |
| and shoot; | | | | card. |
| - compact--for the hobbyist, basic features; | | | | Battery |
| - digital SLR cameras--single-lens reflex cameras, | | | | One of the most overlooked accessories is by far |
| for the serious photographer. | | | | the battery. Most lower priced cameras will come |
| Mega pixels | | | | bundled with a no-name battery which is almost |
| - 2 mega pixels--for basic snapshots; small prints | | | | tantamount to no reliability. People will tell you that |
| are okay but pixelation occurs when the photos | | | | these batteries should last at least a year but do |
| are enlarged; | | | | not be surprised if these kinds of batteries breaks |
| - between 3 and 5 mega pixels--you can count on | | | | down in less than a year. The good news is that |
| good quality prints; | | | | these batteries have model numbers and you can |
| - 5 mega pixels and above--aside from producing | | | | find a suitable replacement from a reputable |
| excellent quality large prints, you can easily do | | | | manufacturer. |
| image manipulation. | | | | Lenses and filters |
| Zoom | | | | Just like traditional cameras, there are digital |
| - optical zoom factor--by magnifying the light | | | | cameras that allow additional lenses to be |
| entering the main lens, distant objects appear | | | | attached or completely changeable. Three basic |
| close; this produces good quality photos; | | | | lens types are: |
| - digital zoom factor--magnifies the resulting image. | | | | - macro lens--allows you to take close-ups of |
| Carrying case and tripod | | | | objects like insects and flowers; |
| Most reasonably priced cameras will bundle these | | | | - wide-angle lens--self-explanatory, used to |
| two items in the same package but very likely, | | | | capture large and wide sceneries; |
| the case will only be a pouch, which is just enough | | | | - telephoto lens--can you say paparazzi? |
| for the camera itself. If you have decided to | | | | Filters can be used to soften or enhance images, |
| "soup up" your digital camera, then you should | | | | which means adding more drama some shots. |
| also invest in a more spacious carrying case. | | | | It also helps to talk to your relatives or friends |
| The same can be said about the tripod, the | | | | who have already owned a digital camera for |
| bundled one will very likely be one of those 3-inch | | | | some time. Their input plus the tips that you have |
| table top tripods which may also be wobbly. The | | | | just read will go a long way in helping you invest |
| tripod helps keep the shots stable and also to | | | | in a gadget that will give you hours of fun and |
| take advantage of the timer. The serious | | | | capture moments that you will cherish. |