Digital camera buyers' guide
When it comes to buying a digital camera, it's easy to get confused as there are so many options. Fear not. We're here to help. This guide will help you make a purchasing decision based on the specifications you'll need to examine closely (and the specs you can basically ignore) before you fork out your hard-earned cash.
Battery life
Cameras use one or more of several types of batteries: AAs, either nonrechargeable alkaline or rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) high-capacity disposable CRV3s or proprietary rechargeable batteries.
Some digital cameras quickly drain batteries - especially alkaline batteries - which can be expensive and annoying. Battery life and cost often aren't related; some inexpensive cameras have great battery life, and some expensive ones use up a charge quickly. Either way, it's a good idea to buy spare batteries.
Movies and sound
The majority of today's cameras can capture video as well as still shots, and some even record 1080p high-definition video. If you plan on shooting a lot of video with your camera, here are some things to consider:
- Can the camera zoom in and out optically while filming video?
- Can you use autofocus while shooting video?
- Does your video-editing software support the format your camera records? Most cameras' video output will work with any video-editing program, but the AVCHD format is still incompatible with some software. That said, the AVCHD format will upload directly to YouTube.
- Do you have a Class 4 or Class 6 SDHC card? You'll want to pick one up to make sure it can handle the speed of video capture.
If you're torn between a digital SLR camera and an advanced point-and-shoot model, check to see whether the DSLR you're considering shoots video. A growing number of DSLRs capture high-definition video, and the larger sensors and lenses mean that the video quality is usually phenomenal.
Exposure settings
All digital cameras let you shoot in fully automatic mode - just press the shutter release and you get a picture. Some cameras also offer aperture- and shutter-priority modes, in which you adjust the size of the lens opening or how long the shutter stays open, and the camera automatically controls the other variable to give you the proper exposure.
Typically, you'd use aperture priority to maintain control over an image's depth of field--for example, to blur the background of a shot while keeping the foreground sharp - and shutter-priority mode to capture fast-moving subjects. A camera that relies exclusively on full auto would attempt to keep both the foreground and background in focus in the former example, and it would probably blur the moving subject in the latter.
Usually, cameras that offer priority modes also provide full-manual exposure control, in which you set both variables. These modes make a camera adaptable to almost any situation.
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Comments
NOEL HARGOOD said: This subject should really start with How much money do you want to spend and then do you want a pocketable instant camera to take candid shots or an SLR which makes the subject either hide or pose as you pick it up unless you have a big telephoto lens shooting at a distanceI do so hope that j acker is pessimistic when he says that movies on a still camera is not practicable I have just bought a Canon Powershot S95 which this magazine said that the video mode was better than some dedicated movie cameras and it does zoom while filmingBut I am talking at the budget end of the spectrumTo complement it or to give it a fighting chance I have bought a Sandisk Extreme Pro HC 45Mbs card also reviewed here so here goes I will be exercising it when I have assimilated a couple of hundred pages of instructions which only comes on the CDBut it will be Auto mode for a start
j.acker@virginmedia.com said: A lot of good advice as far as I am concerned but if you want video buy a video camera Do not think of using a camera that claims to do both One thing with this latter you have to view the scene through a screen which is virtually impossible in bright sunlight It is essential you are able to view through the camera for filming particularly country scenery Secondly you will find you cannot zoom while actually filming At least this has been my experience when I bought a Pentax K-x A mistake I am still bitterly regretting
Matt Egan - Editor said: Hi jayprime - Im not sure I entirely accept your criticism in this case What weve attempted to do is give you all the information you need to choose the right camera for your needs and budget - breaking down the all-important specifications so you can make a informed purchasing decision Im sorry you dont feel this is useful for you That said I really like your idea of interactive multiple choice questions and thats something we should look into doing Thanks for your comment
jayprime said: How to choose the right digital cameraSorry no More a case of What to look for in a digital cameraIf it really aimed to be How to choose the right digital camera it would have an interactive series of multiple option questions leading to a final list of two or three cameras that best fit the stated needs of the readerRepeatedly I find that PC ADVISOR does NOT do what it says on the tin rarely giving advice that I as a complete novice can act on without going to several other sources of information