Buying Digital Cameras for the Beginner
Everyone asks me what kind of camera they should buy when they first get started with Ebay.
I have a Kodak Easyshare C340 with 5.0 Megapixels (as pictured above) and I find that I get pretty good pictures with it. I have a docking station that alows me to recharge my rechargeable batteries rather than having to constantly place new batteries inside: that would get to be quite expensive.
My camera has a lot of neat gadgets on it. I like this camera and all of the modes it has as an option. For instance, I can turn my mode dial to shoot Close ups, Landscape, Sport, Portrait, Automatic, and I can even take Videos with it as well! I can save pictures to my Favorites. I can set my picture quality and select the resolutions/quality how high I want. I can even adjust the lighting on my pictures simply by setting my Flash / Exposure Compensation. Now this all sounds complicated, but if you go online with the tutorial and follow the prompts it is quite easy.
Most if not all cameras have an online Service & Support Tutorial online and if you can upload any software from any camera on the online site too!
I am not all that knowledgeable with cameras, so I have provided for you some tips below from the experts.
Digital Camera Shopping Tips
Ready to buy a digital camera? Here are PC World's recommendations:
Match megapixels to your use: Most point-and-shoot cameras offer at least 5 megapixels, which is plenty for producing 11-by-14-inch prints. Cameras with more megapixels will yield even larger prints and allow you to blow up a part of an image with less likelihood that the print will be blurry. If you plan to make only 4-by-6-inch prints, you don't have to shoot at the camera's highest resolution--and as a result, you can fit more shots on your memory card.
Look for rechargeable batteries and a charger: The cost of disposable batteries adds up over the long run. Some cameras can use AA batteries of any type--disposable or rechargeable. That capability can be helpful if your rechargeable batteries run out of juice and you don't want to wait while they replenish.
Disregard digital zoom: Most cameras offer at least 3X optical zoom--and some boast an optical zoom as high as 15X. But sometimes vendors tout a high total zoom that includes digital zoom, which you should disregard: Digital zoom produces photos that are inferior to those produced with an optical zoom.
Look for a low-light focusing aid: Some cameras have auxiliary lights that help them focus in dim settings. That's important for many indoor shots.
Try the camera before you buy: Some cameras have commands and menus that are easier to use than others, a comparison you can make only with a hands-on trial. Also evaluate the lag time between when you press the shutter button and when the camera actually takes the picture. Try the zoom lens--does it operate quickly and smoothly? Find out how long you must wait between taking pictures. And try the LCD viewfinder--in the sun if possible--to determine how easy it is to read.
Give extra consideration to a camera with a good selection of software: Look for useful packages such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, Ulead PhotoImpact, and Corel Snapfire for editing images, as well as applications for organizing and sharing them.
Don't base your decision on video capability: Any still camera's ability to take moving pictures is limited. If you want to shoot video, invest in a camcorder dedicated to the job.
Consider investing in a memory card reader or a camera dock: A memory card reader acts like an external hard drive attached to your PC or laptop, allowing you to download pictures directly from your camera's storage media. Many newer laptops have one or more memory card slots built in, as do some inkjet printers. If you have a second memory card, you can keep shooting while the images download, rather than having to keep the camera hooked up to your PC. Alternatively, some cameras come with a dock or offer one as an option, and some of these docks offer a dedicated button for uploading all of your new photos on a memory card. A dock also charges the camera's battery.
Get the Perfect Amount for Your Photo Needs
Probably the most significant feature when choosing a digital camera is the number of megapixels, which determines the quality of your photos. Choose too few for your needs, and your images will suffer. Choose too many, and you might be spending more cash than necessary.
For most people, however, deciding on the elusive perfect number can be tough. Below is a guide to help you choose, including what size prints you can expect to get and basic prices. (The prices, however, can fluctuate wildly based on extra features, and the cost per megapixel is constantly getting lower and lower):
2 megapixels or less
- This is typically found on smaller, inexpensive cameras or cameras in combination with other devices (such as cellphones or PDAs).
- will be hard to make a high-quality print of any size, but these are just fine for e-mailing photos or posting photos for a personal web site.
- I wouldn't recommend it for family portraits or if you really need a nice-looking print.
- Expect to pay $100 to $150 for the camera alone, more for a combo unit.
3 megapixels
- This is actually a good compromise between picture quality and low price for most casual photographers.
- You can print lovely 4x6 images, decent 5x7s and, depending on the camera, might even knock out a good 6x9 or 8x10.
- You will pay around $150 to $250.
4 megapixels
- You're getting nicer. These images make practically photo-lab quality 4x6s, and great 5x7s and 6x9s.
- You can print a nice 8x10.
- You'll typically pay about $250 to $350.
5 megapixels
- Hello, enlargements! This will produce beautiful 8x10s, and even a nice 11x14.
- Now you are getting closer to professional photographer levels, and the quality shows it.
- And you'll pay the price, around $350 to $450.
6 megapixels and up
- Wonderful image quality, but high price tags. You can print large photos, even 11x14 or perhaps more, with satisfying results.
- There are some high-megapixel cameras coming out with lower price tags than most, but they usually have very few features.
- Unless megapixels are the only thing you care about (it shouldn't be), don't get a camera that sounds outrageously inexpensive for its megapixel range.
- In this category, expect to pay $450 and up, up, up.
Yes, I know it would be really cool to get that hot new 6 megapixel camera. If you have unlimited funds, great. If you're like the rest of us working stiffs, you don't want to waste money on extras you don't need. And I can tell you right now, if you're just e-mailing pictures to your buddies, you don't need it.
A couple things to keep in mind. People get nuts about megapixels, but more isn't always better. Higher megapixels means larger image sizes, which in turn means more expensive memory cards and more space devoured on your computer's hard drive.
