| Choosing a digital camera can be very confusing | | | | Fast shutter speeds (high numbers) are |
| because of all the camera features that are | | | | advantageous if you are shooting quick moving |
| available. However, there is a logical way of | | | | objects, such as sports, birds, etc. An example of |
| making your way through all of the choices. | | | | a high speed would be 1/2000th of a second. |
| Probably the first thing to think about is how | | | | ISO Settings |
| much you want to spend. The price ranges are | | | | High ISO settings are typically used when you are |
| huge and you will most likely be able to find one | | | | taking photos in dimly lit or dark situations. Here is |
| that fits within your budget. From the most | | | | where the quality of the camera is important. Just |
| simple cameras of less than one hundred dollars | | | | because a camera offers a very high ISO setting |
| to the most advanced digital cameras that run | | | | does not mean that the image captured will be |
| many thousands of dollars, there is a camera out | | | | noise-free. Noise is tiny specs that appear in a |
| there for everyone. | | | | photo. If this is important to you (taking pictures |
| Point and Shoot cameras are typically less | | | | in dark areas), be sure to buy a camera that |
| expensive than DSLR digital cameras. However, | | | | produces quality photos even at high ISO settings. |
| that is not a hard and fast rule in today's market. | | | | Scene Modes |
| Intro DSLRs have come down in price and Points | | | | If you like things to be very automatic, be sure |
| and Shoot cameras can be quite sophisticated. | | | | the camera you are considering has lots of Scene |
| The main difference is that a DSLR camera has | | | | Modes, where you can set the camera to just |
| interchangeable lenses, while a point and shoot | | | | shoot, for example, Sports. The camera makes |
| camera lens is part of the camera. So the lens | | | | the correct settings automatically. |
| you buy with a Point and Shoot camera is the | | | | LCD |
| lens you get. Period. So one of the most | | | | This is the viewing screen on the camera. |
| important things if you are purchasing a Point and | | | | Generally they will range from 2 to 3 inches in |
| Shoot camera is the quality of the lens and that it | | | | size...the larger, the better. Some cameras offer |
| will do what you want it to, regarding wide angle | | | | this with or without an electronic viewfinder, which |
| or zoom features. | | | | is the small opening you look through when |
| As far as other features go, here are some of | | | | framing a shot. |
| the basic options that are offered. | | | | Flash |
| Amount of Megapixels | | | | Automatic flashes usually work for a specific |
| Many cameras of today will offer 10MP or more. | | | | distance. If you are shooting in situations where |
| A high amount of megapixels is a good option if | | | | you will need to use the flash, check out the flash |
| you will be printing large prints or doing a fair | | | | distance of the camera to make sure it will work |
| amount of cropping. | | | | well for you. |
| Optical Zoom | | | | These are some of the main camera features. |
| The higher the optical zoom number, the closer in | | | | There are others also. The best thing to do is to |
| you will be able to focus and shoot a subject. | | | | decide what you will be using the camera for and |
| Optical zooms can range from 3x up to 24x. | | | | choose one that has features and options that |
| Shutter Speed | | | | are most important to you. |